US citizen among 3 held for illegal religious conversions in Maharashtra

Maharashtra: Three persons, including a United States citizen, were detained on Friday in Maharashtra’s Bhiwandi for allegedly engaging in illegal religious conversions, the Hindustan Times reported.

The accused have been identified as James Watson, a US citizen residing in Thane district, Sainath Ganpati Sarpe, and Manoj Govind Kolha. Police said Watson, who had travelled to India on a business visa, was organising a religious event in the Bhuishet area near Bhiwandi without obtaining permission.

According to the complaint filed by Ravindra Bhurkut, at around 11.30 am on Friday, he saw a group of people preaching Christianity to about 30 to 35 individuals opposite Kolha’s residence. Bhurkut alleged that the group claimed the Hindu religion was “based on blind faith,” that “there are no other gods,” and that one could “attain happiness and prosperity by converting to Christianity.”

He further alleged that Watson, Sarpe, and Kolha told attendees that illnesses could be cured through prayers to Jesus Christ. The trio also reportedly asked if any underage girls were unwell and noted the names of four girls. Bhurkut claimed Watson then placed his hands on the girls’ foreheads, asserting he was using “divine powers” to heal them, according to The Times of India.

Police Inspector Harshwardhan Barve said the accused have been booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings and for uttering words with intent to hurt religious sentiments.

They have also been charged under provisions of the Foreigners Act for misusing visa norms, as well as under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.Magic Act, 2013.