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Scroll.in
3 days ago
- Scroll.in
Bihar: Bajrang Dal members allegedly assault gathering at pastor's home after conversion claims
Several persons at a pastor's home were injured in Bihar's Katihar district on Sunday after alleged members of the Hindutva group Bajrang Dal attacked them during a prayer, The Indian Express reported. The Bajrang Dal claimed that attempts were being made to convert people at the gathering. The Bajrang Dal is part of a group of Hindutva organisations led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the parent organisation of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The police are investigating the incident. The newspaper quoted an unidentified person who was at the pastor's home as claiming that 40 to 45 individuals had gathered there for the Sunday prayer meeting at about 10 am. About 30 to 40 men, 'some carrying iron rods, sticks and even pistols' attacked those inside the house, the newspaper quoted the witness as saying. At least 10 persons were attacked with iron rods, according to the witness. A complaint was filed at the Sahayak police station against the violence. While speaking to reporters, the Bajrang Dal's district coordinator Pawan Poddar claimed that the organisation had information of religious 'conversion activities' being conducted 'on a large scale'. 'When we arrived, efforts were underway to entice and persuade 200 to 250 innocent Hindus …' the newspaper quoted Poddar as having claimed. 'Several such books and items used for conversion were found. We informed the local police over the phone, and they came and took everyone away.' Residents were quoted as having claimed that six persons present at the prayer meeting were later detained for questioning. Shikhar Choudhary, the Katihar superintendent of police, said that information was received on Sunday about alleged religious conversions being carried out in the area. 'Police are investigating, and some people have been brought in for questioning in this matter,' The Indian Express quoted the officer as saying. He added that the persons making allegations about conversions had 'carried out an assault at the spot'. 'We are identifying those involved in the assault, and an FIR has been lodged against them for further action,' he said.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
Bajrang Dal members ‘assault gathering at pastor's home' in Bihar over conversion claims
Several people at a local pastor's premises in Bihar's Katihar district were injured after Bajrang Dal members allegedly attacked them during a Sunday prayer on August 10. The outfit claimed efforts were underway to convert people. Police have launched an investigation into the incident. One of the people who was at the pastor's residence claimed that '40-45 people believing in Christianity' had gathered for a weekly prayer meeting around 10 am. 'Around 30-40 men, some carrying iron rods, sticks and even pistols, attacked us. At least 10 people were attacked with iron rods,' he claimed. A woman who was present there alleged, 'They started beating and abusing everyone. They were not letting anyone leave.' One of the individuals has filed a complaint at the Sahayak police station, naming the 'local Bajrang Dal president, Pawan Poddar, and another person among those leading the attack'. Speaking to local reporters after the incident, Bajrang Dal district president Poddar alleged that the group found evidence of 'conversion activities'. 'We received information that religious conversion was being conducted on a large scale,' he claimed. 'When we arrived, efforts were underway to entice and persuade 200–250 innocent Hindus… Several such books and items used for conversion were found. We informed the local police over the phone, and they came and took everyone away.' Locals claimed six people from the prayer meeting were detained for questioning afterwards. Katihar Superintendent of Police Shikhar Choudhary said that information was received on August 10 about alleged conversion activities being conducted in the locality. 'Police are investigating, and some people have been brought in for questioning in this matter. At the same time, it has been found that those making the conversion allegations carried out an assault at the spot. One or two people received minor injuries and are under treatment. We are identifying those involved in the assault, and an FIR has been lodged against them for further action,' he said.
