A deeply disturbing incident has surfaced in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, where school children from a government-run institution were reportedly taken to a church without parental consent and made to kneel and pray to Jesus Christ under the pretext of attending a summer health awareness camp.
The incident came to light when a mother, who had sent her daughter to the Unjavelampatti Government Middle School for what was announced as a health awareness session for young girls, returned to collect her child’s Transfer Certificate. Shockingly, her daughter was nowhere to be found on the school premises. After raising an alarm and making inquiries, she discovered that her child, along with other students, had been taken to a nearby church across from the Chinnampalayam RTO office.
According to the parent’s statement, the program was organized by a local government nurse, Bhavani, who had informed the school and parents that it was a simple awareness camp about health. Trusting this official information, more than 20 children—most under the age of 11—attended.
However, the reality was far from what was promised. When the concerned mother rushed to the church after being told the children had been taken there, she alleged that the pastor Selvakumar initially blocked her from seeing her daughter and that she was physically pushed and threatened. She managed to force her way through, locate her daughter, and bring her back safely.
The mother further revealed to reporters that the children were being taught to pray, made to kneel before religious icons, and subjected to preaching—all without parental knowledge or consent. She accused the organizers of attempting to indoctrinate the children into Christianity, describing it as an act of religious coercion and conversion targeting vulnerable minors.
Speaking to reporters, the parent said, “My second daughter, Keertika, is a student at this school and has completed eighth standard. I was asked to come today to collect her TC (Transfer Certificate). There was also a session being held for young girls at the school. When I dropped her off, they told me to return in half an hour. But when I came back in half hour, my daughter was missing. While searching for her, someone informed me that the nurse had taken the children in a van. When I asked where, they said it was to a church opposite the Pollachi RDO office. I rushed there immediately, but the pastor refused to let me see my child. I was physically pushed and threatened. I fought back, managed to get in, and rescued my daughter. They wouldn’t let me see to my daughter. After rescuing her, we came here to register a complaint.”
She further alleged that the children were being taught about Jesus and accused those involved of attempting religious conversion, specifically targeting schoolchildren.
ஜெபக்கூடத்திற்கு மாணாக்கர்களை அழைத்து சென்ற செவிலியர்.. மதமாற்றம் செய்ய முயற்சித்ததாக பெற்றோர் புகார்.!#Coimbatore #Students #Nurse #Police #TamilNews #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/pohLc4AKaS
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) May 2, 2025
Startled by this revelation, other parents also rushed to the church. A tense standoff followed when religious instructor Selvakumar allegedly refused to let the children go. Furious, the parents confronted the organizers and successfully rescued their children. Police arrived at the scene and subsequently registered a case against Nurse Bhavani and Selvakumar.
Eyewitnesses and parents stated that the children were enticed with food and promises of gifts, then made to kneel and pray. Some of the girls, visibly shaken, confirmed the activities inside the church. Reports suggest this may not be the first instance—locals allege such gatherings have happened before under different disguises.
Parents expressed deep anger that a government school, meant to be secular and safe, became the launching pad for an apparent religious conversion attempt. Many are demanding immediate action against those responsible and have called for an official investigation. This shocking episode has rocked the community and raised serious questions about the monitoring of activities conducted under the name of awareness programs in government schools.
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