Last Update: December 25, 2022, 19:07 IST
An FIR has been registered against people associated with the organization under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). (Rep photo: Shutterstock)
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the government has brought the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act to strictly deal with those who forcibly convert.
Villagers clashed with organizers of an event organized by Christian clerics at Devdhang in Uttarkashi district, accusing them of illegal conversions, officials said.
Purola station house officer (SHO) Komal Singh Rawat said on Sunday that cases have been registered at Purola police station against people associated with a missionary organization called Asha and Jeevan Kendra, as well as five villagers.
The official said that an FIR has been registered against people associated with the organization under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 153 (A) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt). ) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace).
Rawat said the villagers have been booked under IPC sections 153(A), 323 and 504 besides rioting under section 147.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Sunday that the government has brought the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act to deal strictly with people who forcibly convert. Strict action will be taken in this particular case, he told reporters on the sidelines of a function.
Purola Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Jitendra Kumar said that the incident was reported on Friday.
Villagers have complained about mass conversions in a program in the area. We have information that there was a minor clash between the villagers and the organizers of the event. The matter is being investigated,” he said.
Right-wing Hindu organizations protested at the SDM office on Saturday, alleging that Christian missionaries are luring people coming to Uttarkashi from Nepal to convert them.
He also submitted a memorandum addressed to Governor Gurmeet Singh demanding action.
The organizers of the event could not be immediately contacted.
The governor recently gave his assent to the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill passed by the state assembly on November 30, making illegal conversion a cognizable and non-bailable offense punishable with a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment .
Chief Minister Dhami said that the sole purpose of bringing the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act was to deal strictly with those who indulge in forced conversions.
“We brought a strong anti-conversion law only to take strict action against those who force people to convert by intimidation or allurement. We will take strict action in this particular case also.
read all latest india news here
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)