Controversy over construction of church in Mansa village

A group of right wing activists and pastors, on Thursday, met the officials of the district administration over the ‘illegal’ construction of a church on the outskirts of Dulowal village in Mansa with funds received dubiously from outside.

A group of right wing activists and pastors, on Thursday, met the officials of the district administration over the ‘illegal’ construction of a church on the outskirts of Dulowal village in Mansa with funds received dubiously from outside.

“We have ample proof that a Kerala-based organisation had bought the land promising to build a hospital. But, instead of a hospital, a under has been under construction on the site for the last for the last three months. The community leaders are luring backward caste people to adopt their faith. Their funding should be investigated,” said Suresh Chhabra, who is affiliated to Dharam Jagran, a right wing outfit. However, sarpanch of Dulowal village Gurcharan Singh refuted the allegations and claimed there have been no incidents where people are being converted to Christianity.

“There has been a peaceful atmosphere in the village till some right-wing activists started levelling these allegations a week ago. On Thursday, around 15 people came from Mansa city and tried to march towards the church area which I opposed,” he said.

The district administration officials, who met the representatives of both the groups, have prima facie denied any case of conversion. “We have not received any complaints regarding conversions. We have warned both the groups,” said DSP Rupinder Bhardwaj.