RATLAM, India — Hindu nationalist groups stormed a two-day Christian spiritual convention at a private hotel in Ratlam town in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh on May 27, forcing police to detain 15 members of the organizing committee and cancel the event’s second day.
Members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, a militant wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), barged into the venue and accused organizers of luring Hindus into forced religious conversions. The attackers raised objections, alleging that “if the event was designated for a specific, limited group, how could a large number of people from other communities be present inside the venue?” Hindu activists began reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu prayer, inside the auditorium, prompting Christian attendees to counter with their own slogans invoking national figures including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian constitution, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Binoy Kuriakose, district secretary of the United Christian Council in Ratlam, categorically refuted all allegations of forced conversions. Kuriakose told local media that “the conference was organized to promote spiritual enrichment and religious discourse.” He said “a registration fee was made mandatory for all conference attendees” and that “participants were also explicitly required to provide a written declaration stating that they were attending the event of their own free will.”
The convention was organized by the United Christian Council and Ratlam Pastors Fellowship. Organizers said they had notified authorities about the conference beforehand, and that banners and invitation cards clearly stated the event was intended exclusively for Christian believers. Despite the prior notification, police detained the 15 organizing committee members, citing a lack of required permissions. They were later released. Organizers said women and children were terrorized by the sudden commotion created by the attackers.
The incident fits a pattern of Hindu nationalist groups targeting Christian gatherings across India under the pretext of anti-conversion enforcement. Several Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh, maintain so-called “Freedom of Religion” laws that Hindu nationalist organizations routinely invoke to justify disruptions of Christian worship and fellowship events — a dynamic tracked by the U.S.-based International Christian Concern, which first reported the attack.
Police ultimately canceled the second day of the program to prevent further unrest. The 15 detained organizers have been released, but it remains unclear whether authorities plan to pursue charges or investigate the groups that disrupted the lawful gathering.