Maharashtra Police arrested four Christian missionaries on Friday (5 August) who were trying to convert tribals in Palghar district's Dahanu area.
Loksatta reported that the Christian missionaries tried to forcibly convert an old tribal woman in Sarawli Talawpada village. They entered her house after spotting that she was alone.
They tried luring her into Christianity by offering money and saying that she will get relief from all her pains if she becomes a Christian. They asked her to stop practising her religion.
As soon as the news of the Christian missionaries' attempt to convert spread, villagers and members of Hindu organisations gathered in large numbers and took the missionaries to the police station.
After questioning, the police arrested all the four Christian missionaries who are identified as Claimant D Baila, Mariam T Philips, Paramjit alias Pinki Sharma Kaur and Parashuram Dharma Dhingada on the basis of the woman's complaint. FIR has been registered under sections 153, 295, 448, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
Remote tribal-dominated talukas of Palghar district like Dahanu, Talasari, Jawar and Vikramgad have been facing conversion campaigns for many years. The missionaries take advantage of the tribals who are poorly-educated.
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