Right-wing group storms church, disrupts marriage prayer meeting in MP

Members of the Hindu Vahini barged into the church in Shivpuri on suspicion that a Hindu boy was being converted to solemnise his wedding with a Christian girl .

Activists of a right-wing organisation stormed into a church in Madhya Pradesh and disrupted a prayer meeting alleging that a Hindu boy was being converted there to solemnise his wedding with a Christian girl.

Members of the Hindu Vahini forcefully stopped the prayer meeting at a church in Shivpuri alleging that a Hindu boy was being converted, an allegation which was found to be untrue. (HT File/For Representation Purpose only)

The members of the Hindu Vahini left only after being convinced that no conversion or marriage was taking place in the church in Shivpuri.

The girl’s family told the activists that only a prayer meeting was being held there, which would be following by a dinner.

The marriage of the duo would be held at the Arya Samaj temple in Ujjain on March 13, the bride’s family told the activists and showed them the wedding card to pacify them.

Town inspector Sanjay Dixit said the incident was the outcome of some confusion.

“Members of the Hindu Vahini had come to us alleging that a forced conversion was taking place. A police team accompanied them to the church and the charges were found to be untrue. No case has been lodged,” he said.

Bhopal Archbishop Dr Leo Cornelio and the Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) last year alleged that the Act had often been misused to target the minority community.