An alleged attempt at forced conversion to Christianity was reported from the Sagar district in MP. The victim Abhishek Ahirwar is being harassed by none other than his father-in-law who has confined Abhishek’s wife to her maternal house and is refusing to let her go until he converts. Police have registered a case under the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act 2021 against Ramesh Masih and a couple of others.

Abhishek from Bhainsa village married Sapna from Khurai as per Hindu rituals last December. Within months Sapna’s father, himself a convert and her uncle started coercing Abhishek to accept Christianity and promised to pay him 20,000 rupees each month. When he refused, the accused started instigating Sapna against Abhishek and the duo even stopped Sapna from visiting her in-laws’ house.  

In August, Sapna went to her uncle’s house for Rakshabandhan and has not returned back. As per Abhishek, Sapna too has converted and Ramesh says that unless Abhishek converts she will be married off to someone else. 

Additional Superintendent of Police Vikram Singh Kushwaha said that a case has been registered and a thorough investigation is being conducted. All the accused are being questioned. Their call records are being examined to check whether Ramesh Masih and his accomplices have earlier attempted to force others to convert. Further action will be taken based on the investigations assured the police.