Karnataka: Christian Missionaries Accused Of Using Goons To Convert People

A shocking incident in Karnataka has come to light in which a Christian missionaries have attempted to forcibly convert an economically backward community and intimidating those resisting the conversion with goons.

The Shikkaligaras are an economically disadvantaged community in Karnataka. It was reported that there was a fight between a married couple of this sect as the wife coerced her husband into becoming a Christian. Sampath who lives in Old Hubbali Shivshankar Colony with his wife was allegedly coerced by her to convert to Christianity. She had threatened to not have a family with him if he didn’t convert.  Sampath did not agree to this and appealed to the leaders of the Shikkaligara community. Subsequently, the locals along with community leaders and Hindu organizations went to the Huballi police station to file a complaint. They laid seige to the police station protesting that Christian missionaries are forcibly converting people belonging to the Shikkaligar community through enticements and intimidation.

Sampath was quoted saying in a report, “Some pastors visited our relatives’ homes and forced us to attend the prayer meeting. Christian organizations engage in proselytizing activities targeting the Shikkaligara community. They target us because we are economically backward. Rowdies are used by Christian organisations to threaten those who refuse to convert.”

It is alleged that the missionaries are taking the help of local rowdy sheeter Madan Bugudi to intimidate people to convert to Christianity. Madan Bugudi on the other hand has claimed that he is a Hindu and hasn’t converted to another religion or converted others.

Sampath’s wife Bharati has denied the allegation and said that she isnt forcing anyone to convert to Christianity. She said that she has not converted to Christianity but goes to a church due to her “personal belief”. She has claimed that her husband left her 13 years ago and she lives at her parents’ house and hence there is no question at all of her forcing her husband to convert.

Kannada publication Udayavani has reported that Christian missionaries have converted around 30 families to Christianity by preying on their vulnerabilities. They reportedly resort to enticiment, miracle healing meeting and other superstitions to convert.

The Christian missionaries primarily target the women of the community who are pitted against their own families. They reportedly insist on converting the entire family to Christianity threatening to severe ties if they refuse to. The missionaries have been going door-to-door and indulging in proselytization.

The police, who have registered a case in this regard, are interrogating 15 people, including Madan Bugudi.

Earlier in October 2021, a forced conversion incident was reported in Hubbali region. A pastor named Somu Avaradhi, allegedly lured him a Scheduled Caste person to convert to Christianity for over three months and had even abused him for sporting vermilion.

(With inputs from Dinakaran, Udayavani and Daijiworld)

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