The arrest of a Kerala-based pastor and seven others in Maharashtra’s Amravati district over alleged religious conversion has triggered a political storm, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Congress accusing the BJP of selectively targeting Christians.
The incident took place in Varud, around 80 km from Amravati, where police arrested a pastor and others, including four women, on charges of offering money to people to convert to Christianity.
According to the police, a tent had been set up in front of a local resident’s house where a man dressed in white was preaching. A complaint alleged that those attending were being offered money and jobs to convert.
Following a complaint by local resident Lakshman Shede, police questioned Ritesh Bondre, at whose house the gathering was held. During questioning, the names of Anandkumar Kari, Sudhir William, John William, Vikram Gopal Sande, and four women emerged. All were booked under sections 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and uttering words intended to hurt religious feelings. They were later granted bail after being produced in court.
Reacting strongly, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the arrests “deeply disturbing” and said they reflected a “worrying pattern of targeting minorities to fuel polarisation”. In a post on X, he said such actions undermine constitutional freedoms.
The Congress also criticised the BJP, accusing it of using state machinery to harass Christians. Congress MP KC Venugopal said Christians were being selectively targeted across BJP-ruled states for practising their faith. He described the arrest as condemnable and alleged it was part of a broader pattern of intimidation under the guise of conversion-related complaints.