Alwar, Rajasthan: Police on Thursday arrested a pastor accused of involvement in alleged religious conversion activities following a confrontation during a prayer gathering in Tanwar Colony area of Alwar. The incident occurred after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) reached the location following complaints regarding a suspected conversion programme.
According to police officials, VHP workers arrived at a house under the Akhepura police station area after receiving information that a religious gathering was being conducted there. The group alleged that the meeting, which was related to prayers for Jesus Christ, was being used for religious conversion activities.
A confrontation reportedly broke out at the site between the visitors and those present at the gathering. During the incident, the pastor, identified as Rajkumar, was allegedly pulled out of the house and assaulted by members of the crowd. A video of the incident later circulated on social media, appearing to show the pastor being surrounded and physically confronted by several people.
After receiving information about the disturbance, Akhepura Station House Officer Mahesh Tiwari and a police team reached the location. Police intervened, brought the situation under control and took Rajkumar into custody. The pastor was later arrested in connection with allegations of conducting unlawful religious conversion activities.
VHP state coordinator Prem Singh Rajawat alleged that the gathering was not merely a prayer meeting but was being organised as part of a conversion programme. He claimed that religious literature and prayer-related materials were recovered from the location during the inspection.
Rajawat further alleged that mobile phones examined at the spot contained videos connected with religious activities. According to the VHP leader, the pastor admitted to conducting religious outreach activities, which the organisation claimed were aimed at encouraging people to adopt Christianity.
Police officials are investigating the allegations and examining the evidence collected from the location, including the material recovered and statements of those involved. Authorities are also looking into the circumstances surrounding the prayer meeting and whether any violation of Rajasthan’s laws related to unlawful religious conversion took place.
The incident has triggered debate between Hindu organisations and Christian groups over allegations of conversion activities. Hindu organisations have argued that vulnerable sections of society are sometimes targeted through religious gatherings and outreach programmes. They have demanded strict action against activities they believe involve force, fraud or inducement.
Christian representatives, however, have often maintained that prayer meetings, religious discussions and social service activities should not automatically be treated as conversion attempts. They argue that individuals have the constitutional right to practice and propagate their faith voluntarily.
The police investigation in Alwar is continuing, and officials have stated that further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected during the probe. The allegations against the pastor and others involved in the incident will be examined through the legal process.