‘Conversion bid’ foiled in Gorakhpur, six detained

Gorakhpur: After controversy over religious conversion incidents in Kushinagar, police on Wednesday cracked down on an alleged attempt at Nabipur village under Pipraich police station in Gorakhpur district. Six persons were detained but were who released later after interrogation.
As per reports, five families from nearby villages including Parshurampur, Niyamatpur and Mahuakhor came to the programme organized by one Rangilla on the terrace in his home Nabipur.Some people from outside the district also participated along with several villagers.
On being asked about the issue, Rangilal said, “Two year ago my mother was very ill and when I went to the church, she became healthy. I believe in Jesus and I called some of my friends to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. A year ago I promised God to celebrate the occasion to thank for the improvement of my mother’s health. She is healthy so I am celebrating.”
Sunil Singh, the Hindu Yuva Vahini state president, said that it was a conversion congregation and the people taking part in it were supposed to be converted to Christianity. “I am shocked that administration stops us even when we organise sahbhoj programme and try to bring back our brothers to our religion, but do nothing to people who openly convert Hindus to other religions.” He had been arrested on Tuesday for attempt to hold a ‘sahbhoj’ (community meal) in Kushinagar, which was said to be a precursor to conversion rituals.
He adds, “In Nabipur village some people came from outside and along with some converted villagers organised a programme under a tent and called people to embrace Christianity with monetary and medical aid allurements. In Barwakala village under Siswa block of Maharajganj also some people were motivating Hindu families to get converted to Christianity. We informed the local police and they took action.”
Station officer of Pipraich Manoj Patel said, “Some people came to us and informed us about a programme in Nabipur. We found Rangilal had put up a tent on his house terrace and some including Raja, Shivsharan and some girls from Hardoi and people from other villages were there for a prayer. Rangilal told us he was celebrating Jesus Christ’s Birthday to celebrate recovery of his mother after two years of prolonged illness.” The police stopped the congregation and detained six persons, including Rangilal. They were all released after interrogation.
Sub divisional magistrate of Chauri Chaura denied any such incident. “Nothing such as religion conversion took place in Nabipur.” Police denied the Siswa incident, but HYV leaders claimed they stopped religious conversion there on Wednesday.