Two Arrested in Gujarat for Alleged Cash Offers to Convert People to Christianity

Surendranagar, Gujarat, March 18 – Police in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district have arrested two individuals for allegedly offering cash incentives and other benefits to persuade local residents to convert to Christianity. As per agency report, the arrests were made after a complaint was filed on Monday, accusing the suspects of attempting to lure people into religious conversion by offering ₹20,000 along with additional benefits.

According to the complaint, the accused had assured potential converts that adopting Christianity would help them overcome health issues and financial difficulties, citing their own experiences as proof. They reportedly approached residents in the Wadali town area and tried to convince them to change their faith.

Police identified the accused as Ratilal Parmar, a resident of Surendranagar, and Bhanwarlal Pardhi from Udaipur, Rajasthan. Inspector D. R. Padheria of the Wadali police station confirmed their arrest, stating that they were apprehended after engaging with locals and allegedly making offers for religious conversion.

The complaint was filed by a local resident, Ranjit Bhangu, who claimed that the accused also made derogatory remarks against Hindu deities, which hurt his religious sentiments. Bhangu subsequently informed members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, who arrived at the location where the accused were attempting to convince people to convert.

Following their intervention, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists approached the Wadali police, demanding legal action against the accused. The police subsequently registered a case under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for deliberately insulting religious beliefs, along with relevant provisions of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are examining further details regarding the accused’s activities in the region.