Villagers clashed with organisers of a event attended by Christian clerics at Devdhung in Uttarkashi district, accusing them of unlawful conversion, officials said.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Sunday that the government has brought the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act to deal sternly with people who indulge in forceful conversions. Strong action will be taken in this particular case, he told reporters on the sidelines of a function.
Hindu outfits allege collective conversion
The incident was reported on Friday, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Purola, Jitendra Kumar said. "Villagers have complained of collective conversion at a programme in the area. We have information that there was also a minor clash between the villagers and the programme's organisers. The matter is being investigated," he said.
On Saturday, right-wing Hindu outfits held a demonstration at the SDM's office, alleging that Christian missionaries are converting people from Nepal coming to Uttarkashi to work by offering them allurements.
They also submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor Gurmit Singh, demanding action.
What happened in the Purola event on Friday?
As per a report published on NDTV, a mob of at least 30 young men armed with sticks attacked a Christmas celebration event in Purola village in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district on Friday, alleging that forced religious conversions were underway in the programme.
The men claimed to belong to a Hindu organisation and targeted Pastor Lazarus Cornelius and his wife Sushma Cornelius. The police detained the Pastor and his wife over allegations of forced conversions but later released them, saying the matter had been amicably resolved.
The attack at Hope and Life Centre in the village, which is around 150 km from state capital Dehradun, took place around noon two days prior to Christmas. The pastor belongs to Union Church, Mussoorie, and was leading prayers when the mob barged in and disrupted the celebrations.
Uttarakhand's Anti-Conversion law
The governor recently gave his assent to the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill passed by the state assembly on November 30 making unlawful conversion a cognisable and non-bailable offence punishable with a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment besides a fine.
Chief Minister Dhami said the sole purpose of bringing the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act is to deal sternly with people who indulge in forceful conversions. "We brought in a stronger anti-conversion legislation solely to take stern action against those who force religious conversions by intimidating people or luring them. In this particular case also we will act toughly," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
