Hindu villagers lured to convert to Christianity through monetary inducements; derogatory slurs made against Hinduism
Kendujhar, Odisha, India 
5 April, 2025
Case Summary
Tension gripped Jali village in the Champua block of Keonjhar district, situated on the Odisha-Jharkhand border, during the Sri Ram Navami celebrations as a group of Christian preachers, from outside the region, organised a religious programme in the village using loudspeakers and microphones without prior permission. During the event, they delivered derogatory remarks against Hinduism and attempted to convert the local tribal population to Christianity. Offended by these statements, the villagers protested and immediately contacted local Hindu organisations, which assisted in alerting the police. The police arrived promptly and detained seven individuals involved in the event, while two others managed to flee. Authorities also seized vehicles, auto-rickshaws, and loudspeakers used during the programme. Residents of Jali village reported that the missionaries had been offering material inducements to encourage conversions, targeting vulnerable tribal families by disparaging Hindu beliefs and promoting Christianity as superior. A formal complaint was filed by the villagers, naming those involved, including Rajeev Lochan Behera and Babita Behera of Jali village, Hemlata and Sushma Munda from Tangarpada, and others from neighbouring villages in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts. The complaint highlighted that the inflammatory speeches, combined with unauthorised use of amplification equipment, were designed to mislead and influence the tribal population. The speakers promoted Christianity while criticising Hinduism in an effort to cause disaffection and foster religious conversions.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category of- Predatory proselytisation. Under this, the sub-category selected is- Conversion/attempts to convert by inducements. 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. The other sub-category relevant here is- Attempting to convert/converting 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 case qualifies as a hate crime because it involves deliberate and targeted efforts to undermine and exploit the religious identity of Hindu individuals through inducement and manipulation. The perpetrators, driven by religious animosity, used the economic vulnerability of Hindu victims to lure them into conversion. As the crime revolves around the victim’s religion, and the conversion is motivated by a desire to eliminate their religious affiliation, it is classified as a religiously motivated hate crime. Further, the accused targeted the vulnerable Hindu families by disparaging Hindu beliefs and promoting Christianity as superior. Denigrating someone else's faith for the purpose of conversion often stems from a deeper animosity or lack of respect for the victim's faith. This animosity can be driven by the belief that one's own faith is superior and can lead to a dismissive attitude towards other religions. This superiority complex can manifest as disrespect and hostility towards other beliefs. Insulting Hinduism in attempts to brainwash Hindus against their religion, itself stems from the animosity against the Hindu faith, which is why this case qualifies as a hate crime against Hindus and has been documented here.
Case Status
Case sub-judice
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 5 to 10
Perpetrators Gender
both
Sources 
