Hindus targeted for forced conversion and religious abuse by Christian pastor in Janjgir-Champa
Janjgir-Champa, Chhattisgarh, India 
28 December, 2025
Case Summary
In the Janjgir-Champa district of Chhattisgarh, Hindus were pressured to abandon their faith and convert to Christianity by a Christian pastor, namely, Sanju Dandekar, along with another Christian, Moti Singh, during prayer meetings. As per the reports, the incident took place within the jurisdiction of Akaltara police station. Christian pastor Sanju Dandekar, aged 37 years and a resident of Limahi, along with Moti Singh, aged 39 years and a resident of Kirari, lured Hindus to attend the prayer meetings and, during the meetings, coerced them to convert from Hinduism to Christianity. During the course of the prayer meetings, both the accused made objectionable and derogatory comments against Hindu gods and deities, directly insulting objects of worship and faith held sacred by Hindus. Following receipt of information, Crime Number 661 of 2025 was registered at Akaltara Police Station. The case was registered under Section 299 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3 of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968. During the enquiry, both accused confessed to their actions. After the collection of sufficient evidence, both were arrested, produced before a competent court, and remanded to judicial custody. Police confirmed that the investigation remained ongoing and that vigilance was maintained to preserve public order.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
The primary category selected is: Predatory Proselytisation. Within this, two secondary categories are selected. The first is 'Attempting to convert by denigrating Hinduism'. In several cases, Hindus are converted or an attempt is made to convert Hindus by denigrating their faith, Hinduism. In such cases, the Hindus associate with the non-Hindu perpetrators often by choice and then, the attempt to convert them by insulting their faith, showing the faith down etc begins. An example of this would be a non-Hindu gathering where the Hindus are attending the gathering of their own free will. However, once they attend the gathering, there is an explicit attempt to convert them by abusing their faith and hailing the faith of the perpetrator. The denigration of the Hindu faith is often based on misrepresentation of the Hindu faith, its doctrine and scriptures and insult to espoused traditions if not blatant lies about Hindu beliefs and ways. Such conversions or attempts at conversions are driven by animosity towards the Hindu faith and are therefore documented as religiously motivated hate crimes. This incident qualifies as a religiously motivated hate crime because the activities, to convert the Hindu families to Christianity, were not random or voluntary expressions of belief change, but structured and sustained efforts by Christian missionaries. Firstly, the focus on Hindu households, repeated engagement through prayer meetings, and use of religious messaging aimed at replacing Hindu belief systems demonstrate intentional religious targeting. Secondly, pressuring a Hindu individual to discard his religious faith and embrace another was a direct attack on his religious identity and dignity. It was not a matter of personal choice; it was coercion rooted in hostility towards the victim's Hindu identity. Such an attempt reflected religious animosity because the act was not simply about personal differences but about erasing the victim’s Hindu faith, making it a religiously motivated crime. Thirdly, deliberate denigration and delegitimisation of Hindu deities and belief systems. Missionaries spread misinformation about Hindu gods and goddesses, portraying them as powerless or ineffective, particularly in the context of illness and suffering. In Hinduism, deities are not abstract concepts but living centres of devotion, deeply integrated into daily life, healing traditions, and community rituals. Such denigration functions as psychological coercion by undermining confidence in one’s religion and portraying abandonment of Hindu worship as necessary for survival or well-being. Disclaimer: The Hinduphobia Tracker records incidents based on when an event occurred or when the victim's ordeal began. It is important to clarify that none of the media sources covering this case has specified the exact date when the victim's ordeal began. Therefore, for documentation purposes, we have recorded the date based on when the incident was reported in the media, 29 December 2025
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
