News Tamil Nadu

“Don’t You Have Shame? They’re Struggling For Life And You Want To Convert Them?” Thanjavur BJP Functionary Thwarts Unlawful Proselytization At Kumbakonam Government Hospital

May 30, 2024
The Commune

In yet another brazen proselytization in Tamil Nadu, missionaries were caught openly carrying Bibles in their shoulder bags and targeting the downtrodden and hopeless for conversion to Christianity in broad daylight at the government hospital (GH) in Kumbakonam. The proselytization attempt happened at the hospital despite a board at the Kumbakonam government hospital that reads, “No proselytizing should be done here.”

This time, the patients, frustrated by the missionaries spreading the message of Jesus Christ, contacted Thanjavur North District BJP District Secretary Paramaguru. He issued a stern warning to the missionaries and drove them away.

The incident was captured on camera and shared by the Thanjavur North District BJP on social media. Here’s the transcript of the video.

Paramaguru: Bargur? Where is Bargur? Is it in Andhra?

Missionary: No, Marungur

Paramaguru: Oh, you are from Marungur church. Who asked you to come here from Marungur Church? Who sent you?

Missionary: I came by myself.

Paramaguru: Oh, you are coming by yourself. Who asked you to come here from there?

Missionary: No, we come here to do service (Oozhiyam)

Paramaguru: What do you mean by service? Will you recruit, or will you give money? Come let’s give together.

Missionary: We come here to pray

Paramaguru: Pray means, what will you do?

Missionary: Everyone to be healthy (sugamadaya vendum).

Paramaguru: Do we all stand to not get well then? Are you the only one who wants wellness? We also stand here to be well. Give your visiting card or id card. I want to know who you are. If you mix poison in the water and leave, who will we ask?

Missionary: I won’t do it.

Paramaguru: What’s the surety that you won’t do, I have a visiting card, do you have one? We should know who you are right? Why do you do this unwanted job? In which district is Marungur located?

Missionary: In Nagai District (Nagapattinam)

Paramaguru: Is everyone in Nagai district fine? Has the amputee, unwell in the Nagai district got up, started to walk and run? Has Corona in the district recovered? Where did you go during the corona period? Mister, what is your name? First take off your mask Corona has gone, take off your mask. What’s your name?

Missionary: Boaz 

Then, Paramaguru, calmly placing his hands on the missionary, and said, “You are also my brother. I don’t have a problem with that. We are ready to help with whatever you want, but please stop this deceptive conversion work. Brother, I am speaking to you thinking you like me. I will not harm or threaten you, but he (patient) is already suffering lying down in pain. He is not well. His arms, legs and nose are gone. If you also sit and torture him for half an hour adding to his pain, what good does that do? What is your intention here? How did the Kumbakonam GH management allow this within the campus? I warn you; I will sue them.”

Paramaguru further inquired about the missionary’s economic situation, asking if he had eaten and offering to buy him food. The missionary responded that he was fasting. When asked about his job, the missionary said he had no job. Paramaguru questioned how he managed to travel and afford food, and who supported him financially. When asked about his business at the hospital, the missionary replied that he came to pray (jebam).

Frustrated, Paramaguru told the missionary he looked pathetic but expressed anger towards the church missionaries driving him. “Either you free yourself from the missionaries, or we will free you from them,” he said.

In the background, the relatives of the patients complained that the missionary was violating the hospital’s policy against conversion. Paramaguru then asked to see what was in the missionary’s bag, finding Bibles inside. Annoyed, he asked, “Don’t you have any shame? These people are struggling for their lives, and you want to convert them here?”

Finally, Paramaguru warned the missionary that having personal faith is an individual choice, but forcing conversions through deceit is wrong, will face a dire consequence.

“If you come next time I will take you to the police station. You should never come this side. Get lost from the GH.”, he said.

While Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, it is unlawful to forcefully convert people either through force or enticement.

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