Chhattisgarh: Dispute Over Alleged Religious Conversion at Korba Hotel, Police Investigation Sought

Korba, Oct 26: A dispute over an alleged religious conversion and a prayer meeting broke out at Hotel Star Inn in Transport Nagar, Korba district of Chhattisgarh. Bajrang Dal activists reached the hotel on Saturday evening after receiving information about the meeting and alleged that Hindu families staying there were being targeted for religious conversion. The activists demanded a police investigation into the matter.

 

 

According to reports, the incident led to a chaotic situation on the hotel premises. Videos circulating on social media purportedly show some people being assaulted during the confrontation. The allegations of religious conversion and the circumstances surrounding the violence are yet to be established through an official investigation.

 

Bajrang Dal district chief Rana Mukherjee alleged that a person identified as Jan Masih had booked around 15 rooms at the hotel since October 22. Approximately 40 people from rural areas, including Lafa, Pali and Katghora, were reportedly staying there.

 

Mukherjee claimed that several of the families belonged to the Satnami and Gond communities and alleged that they were being targeted for religious conversion under the pretext of prayer meetings. He further claimed that the group had arrived with promotional material and was attempting to influence families in urban areas.

 

However, these allegations have not been independently verified, and the purpose of the gathering remains subject to investigation.

 

Following the confrontation, police were informed about the incident. CSP Pratik Chaturvedi and the in-charge of the CSEB police outpost reached the hotel to assess the situation.

 

 

 

Mukherjee also alleged that identification documents, including Aadhaar cards, had not been collected from the people staying at the hotel. The status of the guests' documents and the circumstances surrounding the hotel bookings are expected to become clearer as the police examine the matter.

 

The Bajrang Dal district chief stated that a complaint had been submitted to the police, seeking an investigation into the alleged conversion activities.

 

Mukherjee further alleged that a house in the Manikpur area of Korba, associated with the South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) locality, had been converted into a church named the Indian Prayer Church (IPC). He claimed that religious conversion activities were being carried out through the establishment.

 

These claims also require independent verification by the authorities.

 

The incident has drawn attention to the allegations of religious conversion and the reported violence at the hotel. While the organisation has demanded action against those allegedly involved in conversion activities, the assault allegations visible in circulating videos also warrant examination by the police.