Tribal villagers lured with promises of health and education to convert to Chrisianity
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India 
7 February, 2025
Case Summary
A case of religious conversion was reported in Raisen district, where Christian missionaries from Bhopal were converting people in a Bhil tribal settlement near Ghetakachar village in Devnagar police station area. They lured people with promises of health, education, and financial assistance. On February 8th, Hindu organisations learned about the activities and immediately informed the police. Acting on the tip-off, the police arrived at the location and detained two men and a woman. Authorities recovered Christian religious books and documents related to conversion from the accused. Begumganj SDOP Alok Srivastava confirmed that an FIR was registered against the three individuals, and an investigation was underway. Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s District General Secretary, Badri Parashar, stated that such individuals first occupy forest land and later engage in conversion activities. Hindu organisations strongly condemned the incident and demanded strict action from the police.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category of Predatory proselytisation. Under this, the first sub-category selected is- 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 accused offered health treatments and educational opportunities as a cover to induce unsuspecting victims to change their faith. By exploiting the victim's desire for social and economic upliftment through education, or by offering financial and medical assistance, these individuals manipulated their vulnerabilities for the purpose of proselytisation. Such cases reflect a pattern where victims are targeted based on their economic vulnerabilities and are induced to convert by offering material benefits like medicines and free education. The core of the crime is the manipulation of the victims' religious identity through health, financial or educational incentives, thus making it a religiously motivated crime.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
