Two Hindu nationalist organisations are trying to stop two large public Christian conventions scheduled to take place in different provinces of the Central Indian state of Chhattisgarh.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal have submitted appeals to the police and district administrative officials, warning that unless the conventions are cancelled, authorities will be responsible for any subsequent communal disturbances.
The VHP is demanding the cancellation of a large November convention organised by Paul Dinakaran, a well-known Pentecostal preacher from South India in the southern Bastar district. In its memorandum to authorities in Bastar, the VHP described Dinakaran as a criminal and called his programme damaging to the district’s cultural and religious fabric.
The VHP also alleged that foreign Christian missionaries are influencing the cultural identity of Bastar, a sensitive tribal-dominated area, through forced conversions.
The Bajrang Dal is seeking to stop Pastor Bajinder from New Delhi, famous for his healing crusades, from leading a gathering later this month in Bhilai, in the northern part of Chhattisgarh.
The Bajrang Dal has alleged that Pastor Bajinder, through healing and prayer events, influences the conversions of poor and vulnerable families. The organisation has stated it will go to any extent to stop Bajinder’s two-day event if the authorities don’t take action.
Jesus Calls Global Ministry, the organiser of the Dinakaran’s two-day convention in Bastar, said that the Hindu fanatics are trying to curtail the fundamental rights of India’s citizens. A Christian social worker told sources that Christians have constitutional rights to preach and propagate their religion, so Hindu nationalists are upset that government officials have approved Dinakaran’s convention.
The organisers of Bajinder’s meeting told local media that the programme is organised for Christians, but Hindus are also welcome to come for healing and prayers.
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