Christian prayer meeting disrupted in West Bengal over fake conversion allegations
Kolkata: A Christian prayer meeting in Uluberia area of Howrah district in the Indian state of West Bengal was disrupted by members of a Hindu extremist group, raising serious concerns over religious freedom and growing incidents of religious vigilantism in India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, individuals identified as members of Hindu Sanghati entered the prayer gathering, vandalised property and harassed worshippers, claiming that religious conversions were being carried out through healing and inducements.
However, there has been no independent official confirmation from police establishing that any unlawful conversion was taking place at the gathering. The allegations, therefore, cannot be treated as established facts without credible evidence and a proper investigation.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over private groups taking the law into their own hands and targeting religious minorities merely on the basis of allegations.
Under India’s constitutional framework, allegations of forced or fraudulent religious conversion, where supported by credible evidence, are matters for law enforcement agencies and courts to investigate.
Private groups have no authority to storm religious gatherings, intimidate worshippers or impose punishment.
Freedom of religion guarantees individuals the right to profess, practise and propagate their faith, subject to constitutionally permitted restrictions. Religious freedom, observers say, cannot be made dependent on the approval of majority groups or extremist organisations.
The reported disruption of the Christian gathering over unverified allegations has raised a fundamental question about the rule of law and the protection of religious minorities in India.
Human rights observers stressed that credible allegations should be investigated impartially, worshippers should be protected, and proven offences should be dealt with according to law, rather than allowing religious vigilantism to replace constitutional and legal procedures.
