Conversion attempt by Christian pastor thwarted by vigilant Hindus.

BANGALORE: Tension prevailed near Agape Bible Church at Pillanna Garden in K G Halli on Sunday afternoon after 200 strong Hindu Jagaran Vedike activists staged a protest and engaged in a heated argument with the church members accusing them of trying to lure youth for conversion. Pastor Perumal Fernandes was trying to convert 50 Hindus to Christianity by luring them with monetary benefits.

According to the police, the activists staged a protest in front of the church accusing its members of luring people into conversion. The members of the church tried to clarify things and it was followed by a heated argument between the groups. Reportedly, some of the activists also manhandled the church’s pastor Reuben Sathyaraj. However, the situation was brought under control with the intervention of the police.

Later, Hindu Jagaran Vedike’s member Nagaraj filed a complaint at KG Halli police station. The police have registered cases under sections 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code.

 Hindu Jagran Vedike activist Naveen R said, “The church was giving water baptism in its premises to convert Hindus into Christians on Sunday. That’s when we were informed by a family member of one of the Hindu men taking baptism that he was asked to convert to Christianity as he loved a Christian girl. We immediately rushed to the church and stopped the conversion process. By then over 15 had already converted. Police took the remaining into their custody. It was a case of converting people by luring them with money and other benefits.”

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