The vanvasi (‘tribal’) community in the Tamiya block has filed a complaint against Christian missionaries who have been converting people in the name of “medical treatment.”

The complaint claims that these people also promise a large sum if the person converts to Christianity. There have been forced conversions and threats of killing if the person denies it.

Describing the procedure, the vanvasis said that a Christian organizes these mass conversions in the area. Every Thursday, in the name of being ‘treated,’ innocent Hindu vanvasis are offered money and forced to convert to Christianity.  

This is happening in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh, the constituency of former CM Kamalnath. According to media reports, this has been happening for the last few months in the following villages- Sangakhera, Delkhari, Jhapiya, Barachomri, and many others which come under the Tamiya block. The police station in charge of the area has said that the matter is being investigated, and a medical review will also be done. 

When the same complaints were filed back in April, many Hindu organizations raised their voices against the ongoing conversion racket, and some vanvasis even converted back to their original religion, but it is alleged the authorities took no serious action against these missionaries at the time.