In a significant case highlighting issues of religious coercion and community disturbance, Pastor David Raja Reddy from Balabhadrapuram village in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari District has been arrested by Biccavole Police. David faces multiple charges, including forced religious conversion, extortion, and harassment.
As per the reports from The Commune, the arrest follows a complaint from local resident Nakka Srinivas, who reported extensive harassment after refusing to convert to Christianity. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Srinivas alleges that Pastor David demanded a one lakh rupee church fund and, upon his refusal, engaged in acts of intimidation. The complaint also details how David frequently harassed Srinivas by playing loudspeakers at high volumes during church services held in a building opposite Srinivas’s residence. This disturbance reportedly created significant distress for Srinivas and his family.
Further allegations claim that Christian Pastor David pressured Srinivas to convert to Christianity repeatedly, even as Srinivas declined. David is also accused of parking vehicles obstructively in front of Srinivas’s property during gatherings and making false accusations against Srinivas, including threats to falsely implicate him in illegal activities such as the ganja trade and sexual harassment.
The complaint additionally suggests that David’s actions led to discord within Srinivas’s household, resulting in the separation from his wife. Police sources state that David has been charged under sections 130, 292, 351, and 308(6) of the BNSS, underscoring the gravity of the case.
This arrest marks a notable development, with sources indicating it is the first incident in Andhra Pradesh where legal action has been taken for alleged forced conversions. According to police, the case sheds light on growing concerns about unauthorized conversions and associated community tensions in the region. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities closely examining the full extent of Pastor Reddy’s actions and their impact on the local community.
According to updates from the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), Pastor Raja Reddy, who was recently arrested by the Bikkavolu Police in East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, has now been sent to judicial remand. The arrest reportedly relates to allegations of religious conversion activities. The LRPF has highlighted this incident, emphasizing concerns about forced conversions and their impact on the local community. Further details on the case proceedings are anticipated as the investigation progresses.
Similarly, in Meerut, thirty families returned to Hindu Dharma after being converted to Christianity by jailed Pastor Bijju Mathew, who allegedly promised to cure diseases and fund weddings. Alongside the concerns of Islamist extremism, certain Christian missionary activities also pose a challenge to Hindu Dharma, with some pastors reportedly exploiting vulnerable Hindu communities through promises of healing or financial assistance. Incidents like the recent one in Meerut, where thirty families reconverted after being enticed under false pretenses, highlight the need for vigilance against coercive conversions that undermine cultural and religious integrity.
