A summer children’s camp organised at a local church in Ambala, Haryana, has come under scrutiny after Bajrang Dal activists confronted the organisers over alleged religious indoctrination of minors. A video of the altercation, which has since surfaced online, purportedly shows members of the organisation questioning the church staff about religious content being imparted to children under the guise of a vacation camp.
Activists alleged that children attending the camp were being taught Christian doctrines and urged to accept the faith, raising concerns about violation of constitutional and child protection norms. Police have yet to confirm if a formal complaint has been filed in the matter.
New Missionary Conversion Tactic:
A so-called summer camp was organised in a Church for students in Ambala, Haryana. In the name of the camp the children were given religious teachings. The following video contains an altercation between Bajrang Dal activists and the… pic.twitter.com/iZuzau5Dus
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) June 28, 2025
The incident has drawn comparisons to a case in Chaubara Jagir village of Sonkutch Tehsil, Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh, where a similar alleged conversion operation involving tribal minors was reported earlier this month. On 20 June 2025, police at Sonkutch Police Station registered FIR No. 409/2025 under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021.
According to the complaint filed by local resident and Hindu activist Gajraj Singh Sendhav, a group was conducting what was presented as a free coaching class for tribal children. However, the complainant alleged that the initiative was a front for religious conversion, involving inducements such as money, education, and other material benefits.
The FIR stated that five individuals, identified as Manju, Kiran, Mahida, Sachin, and Mithun, were found conducting a religious session at the residence of one Bhagnu Jiyaji, where Christian posters were displayed and sermons were delivered that allegedly disparaged Hindu deities. The complainant reported that the accused told those gathered that their gods could not protect them and promised blessings upon converting to Christianity.
The accused reportedly offered ₹50,000, free school admissions, and other incentives in exchange for religious conversion. Following a confrontation with local residents, police arrived at the scene and detained the group. They were subsequently booked under Sections 3 and 5 of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, which prohibit conversion by allurement or coercion, particularly when involving minors or Scheduled Tribes. Convictions under these sections carry penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment.
Videos from the site allegedly showed children seated on mats in a house repurposed as a classroom, with religious posters prominently displayed. One of the posters read, “Jesus says, allow children to come to me. Only they will go to heaven who send their kids to me.”
Gajraj Singh told Organiser that he and others had been monitoring the group’s activities and claimed that children were being asked to pray to Jesus. One of the accused reportedly fled with a bag believed to contain religious literature.
This incident in Dewas is the latest in a string of reported cases in tribal-dominated areas of Madhya Pradesh, such as Jhabua, where activist groups have alleged systematic proselytisation efforts. Reports from Jhabua have highlighted covert religious meetings in forested areas and the use of inducements to convert vulnerable communities.
As regards the Dewas case, the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021, requires prior approval from the district magistrate for any religious conversion and includes provisions to nullify conversions made solely for the purpose of marriage. The law places the burden of proof on the accused and imposes enhanced penalties when victims are minors, women, or members of Scheduled Castes or Tribes.
(With inputs from Organiser)
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