A controversial Christian evangelical event titled “2 Days Prophetic Encounter” has sparked outrage among legal and Hindu rights groups, prompting urgent calls for law enforcement intervention. The event, which was presided over by Pastor Sunny Kurre and organized by PS Hadibandhu Sandha, took place on March 25-26, 2025, in Batemura, Manesar, Sambalpur, Odisha.
According to complaints filed by the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), the event is allegedly being used as a front for illegal religious conversions, particularly targeting vulnerable tribal communities. The complaint, addressed to the District Superintendent of Police and the District Magistrate, demands immediate registration of an FIR under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, and the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, 1967. A copy of the complaint has also been sent to the Chief Minister’s Office for necessary action.
Fraudulent practices and illegal conversions
The event organizers have been accused of promoting so-called supernatural healings and miraculous interventions to mislead and manipulate attendees. In a video uploaded on Pastor Sunny Kurre’s official YouTube channel, he can be seen coercing a woman to believe that he could heal her child’s cancerous tumour through divine intervention. Such activities violate Section 5 of the Drugs & Magic Remedies Act, which prohibits the advertisement of magic remedies to treat diseases and disorders.
Furthermore, Section 3 of the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act strictly prohibits conversion by inducement, coercion, or fraudulent means. The complainants claim that the event organizers failed to inform the district authorities about the mass conversion attempt, as mandated by law. Credible information suggests financial inducements, including promises of monetary aid, food, and resources, in exchange for religious conversion.
Demands for immediate action
The complaint submitted by LRPF demands the following urgent measures:
- Immediate registration of an FIR against Pastor Sunny Kurre and PS Hadibandhu Sandha under the relevant sections of the Drugs & Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, and Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023.
- Ban on the event to prevent mass conversion activities from taking place.
- Financial investigation into the organizers’ operations to uncover any illicit monetary transactions and fraudulent practices aimed at exploiting innocent tribal communities.
This so-called 2-day prophetic encounter is nothing but a deceptive trap designed to exploit the faith and vulnerabilities of Janjatiya communities under the false promise of so-called supernatural healings. Christianity’s fraudulent healing gimmicks have long been exposed as nothing more than psychological manipulation, preying on the poor and the sick to push illegal conversions. These Christian missionaries, like Pastor Sunny Kurre, operate in blatant violation of the law, using emotional blackmail and monetary incentives to lure innocent people away from their Hindu faith.
Illegal conversion events of this nature have been a growing concern, particularly in states with significant Janjatiya populations. The misuse of religious platforms to target economically weaker sections with false promises not only violates the law but also disrupts communal harmony. Legal experts argue that stringent enforcement of anti-conversion laws is essential to curb such deceptive practices.
The Odisha government and law enforcement agencies now face the crucial task of ensuring that constitutional provisions protecting religious freedom are not misused for forced conversions. Failure to act decisively may set a dangerous precedent, encouraging further unlawful activities under the guise of religious gatherings.
The coming days will determine the government’s response to this pressing issue. Meanwhile, Hindu rights organizations and legal forums continue to monitor the situation closely, urging swift and concrete action to uphold the rule of law in Odisha.
The cases of Pastor Rajinder Singh and Pastor Sunny Kurre highlight a disturbing pattern of religious exploitation and illegal conversions under the pretense of faith. Both individuals have been at the center of controversies—Bajinder Singh, with a history of criminal activity, fraudulent healing congregations, and allegations of sexual assault, and Sunny Kurre, involved in orchestrating large-scale conversion events targeting vulnerable Hindu Janjatiya communities through monetary inducements. These incidents underscore the growing menace of deceptive evangelist networks that manipulate faith for personal and political agendas. Strong legal action and vigilant community awareness are essential to curb such unethical activities and safeguard the cultural and religious integrity of the Bharatiya populations.
