11 Christian missionaries attempt to convert locals in Himachal’s Rampur Bushahr
Rampur, Himachal Pradesh, India 
7 July, 2023
Case Summary
In Himachal Pradesh's Rampur Bushahr town, a group of non-local Christians are accused of attempting to convert locals. On July 8, 2023, around noon, an HRTC bus carrying Nepali and non-local Indian passengers stopped at the Old Bus stand in Rampur Bushahr, where passengers began preaching Christianity to locals, urging them to convert. The group had reportedly set up camp in Shaili village, Bahaali, and was returning from the camp. A VHP worker recorded a video alleging conversion attempts despite objections and handed over the accused to the police. The police seized the bus, recovered Bibles and a large amount of cash, and arrested 11 people. The remaining individuals were released, and the arrested will be presented in court. A case has been filed under sections 295/341 of the IPC.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category of 'predatory proselytisation' and under this, the sub-category chosen- conversion/attempts to convert by inducement. Predatory Proselytisation is not just limited to threat, harassment, force and violence, but it also has contours of stealth. In several cases, the Hindu victim is exploited to convert, with non-Hindus taking advantage of their poverty. In such cases, the Hindu victim who is suffering financially is offered monetary benefits, including lucrative offers for jobs, health treatment, education, etc, to induce the victim into changing his/her religion. In such cases, the religious identity of the victim and the aim to disenfranchise him from his faith form the heart of the crime. Also, taking advantage of and exploiting an individual’s economic vulnerabilities is widely acknowledged as exploitation, forms of which are often penalised by law. Such cases therefore are considered religiously motivated hate crimes since the victim’s religious identity forms the very heart of the crime itself. In this case, the Christian evangelists were attempting to exploit a specific vulnerability of the victims who were in all likelihood also economically backward. Since a large amount of cash was recovered from the bus, the missionaries were likely attempting to convert the vulnerable Hindus by offering them money - an inducement. Since exploiting vulnerabilities for the explicit purpose of conversion is purely based on animosity towards the victim's faith, this case has been categorised as a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 10 to 100
Perpetrators Gender
both
Sources 
