8-year-old girl of Dalit Colony passes away after Church recommends "miraculous healing" for brain tumour

Case Summary
On December 9, 2024, an 8-year-old girl named Bhagyashree from Dalit Colony in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, tragically passed away after her parents sought "miraculous healing" for her brain tumour at a church in Adurupalli. The family, unable to afford the recommended surgery for their daughter due to financial constraints, had turned to the church based on suggestions from relatives. They spent 40 days fasting and praying for divine intervention while the girl’s health deteriorated. Despite her worsening condition, the church authorities failed to recommend medical treatment, reinforcing the parents' belief in a miracle cure. Bhagyashree succumbed to her illness on the church premises, raising serious concerns about the role and responsibility of religious institutions in addressing medical emergencies. The incident sparked outrage over the promotion of "miracle" healing practices by Christian missionaries, especially in vulnerable communities.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case is categorised as Undecided because it is not explicitly stated that the girl and her family were Hindu. However, their residence in a Dalit Colony raises the assumption that they were not Christian, as such colonies predominantly house non-Christian communities. Without clear confirmation of their religious identity, the case cannot be definitively classified as a hate crime against Hindus, despite the circumstances suggesting targeted exploitation of their faith and socioeconomic vulnerability. The family was influenced to forgo medical treatment for their child, and opt for miraculous healing promoted by the Christian church instead. The church's actions, which included reinforcing their belief in divine intervention instead of suggesting medical care, led to the child's death. Such cases highlight the targeting of vulnerable Hindu communities through religious conversions or practices that undermine their well-being.
Victim Details
Total Victim
1
Deceased
1
Gender
- Male 0
- Female 1
- Third Gender 0
- Unknown 0
Caste
- SC/ST 1
- OBC 0
- General 0
- Unknown 0
Age Group
- Minor 1
- Adult 0
- Senior Citizen 0
- Unknown 0

Case Status
Complaint not filed

Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown