Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai claimed that Christian missionaries in the state are carrying out conversions under the guise of healthcare and education. The CM warned that his government will stop it and "Hindutva will gain strength", Times of India reported.
According to the CM, the missionaries are "very active" in the state, dominating the health and education sectors. They are behind the rise in religious conversions, he claimed.
The Congress claimed that BJP is unnecessarily making religious conversion an issue for mileage in Lok Sabha polls.
Meanwhile, Chattisgarh Christian Samaj responded to the CM's allegations, stating that the CM did not say conversion is a crime. The organisation's chief, Arun Pannalal, said that they accept the fact that they are providing the maximum service to those in need of health and education.
He pointed out how the CM spoke about the strengthening of Hindutva. He said that if education and health reach the needy, it will be a matter of happiness for missionaries.
According to Pannalal, conversion has always been an issue, and it will continue to remain so. As long as there is a Constitution, conversions will continue since it is no crime under it. He said that it is not missionaries but priests who perform conversions, and one has to register before the collector for religious conversions.
Later, he reminded the BJP that the Christian community gave them three assembly seats. Reports of violence against the Christian community are increasing, and if it is not controlled, it will adversely affect the party in Lok Sabha elections, Pannalal warned.