Jabalpur Catholic school vandalised, faces protest over conversion allegations
VHP and Bajrang Dal workers protested outside a Catholic school in Jabalpur over conversion allegations, and police intervened after stone-pelting and a scuffle. The unrest has intensified scrutiny of the allegations as police await inquiry findings and examine possible offences during the protest.
Tension prevailed in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur on Tuesday after activists of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest outside a Catholic school over allegations of religious conversion. The demonstration turned violent, with stones allegedly being hurled at the school building, damaging window panes, while protesters also reportedly scuffled with police personnel. Following the incident, heavy police deployment was made in the area to maintain law and order.
According to police, a large number of VHP and Bajrang Dal workers gathered outside the missionary-run school in the Madhotal area after allegations surfaced that staff members were being pressured to convert to Christianity. During the protest, slogans were raised and some demonstrators allegedly pelted stones at the school premises, resulting in damage to the building. Women were also among those participating in the protest.
Police personnel intervened to stop the protesters, leading to a brief scuffle before additional forces were rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.
The controversy stems from allegations made by a former school employee, who claimed he was repeatedly asked to visit a church and was pressured to embrace Christianity. He alleged that after refusing to convert, his services were terminated.
VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders demanded an impartial probe into the allegations and strict action against those found responsible. They alleged that employees were being coerced into changing their religion under the guise of providing education and employment, adding that similar complaints had been made in the past but no action was taken.
Responding to the incident, police said a committee constituted under the supervision of the District Education Officer had already completed an inquiry into the allegations of forced religious conversion involving school employees. Further action, they said, would be taken based on the findings of that report.
City Superintendent of Police Sonu Kurmi said the entire incident had been videographed. He added that if the investigation establishes acts of vandalism or any other criminal offence during the protest, those responsible would face legal action.
Police said the investigation into both the conversion allegations and the violence during the protest is ongoing, and further action will depend on the outcome of the inquiry.
Tension prevailed in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur on Tuesday after activists of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest outside a Catholic school over allegations of religious conversion. The demonstration turned violent, with stones allegedly being hurled at the school building, damaging window panes, while protesters also reportedly scuffled with police personnel. Following the incident, heavy police deployment was made in the area to maintain law and order.
According to police, a large number of VHP and Bajrang Dal workers gathered outside the missionary-run school in the Madhotal area after allegations surfaced that staff members were being pressured to convert to Christianity. During the protest, slogans were raised and some demonstrators allegedly pelted stones at the school premises, resulting in damage to the building. Women were also among those participating in the protest.
Police personnel intervened to stop the protesters, leading to a brief scuffle before additional forces were rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.
The controversy stems from allegations made by a former school employee, who claimed he was repeatedly asked to visit a church and was pressured to embrace Christianity. He alleged that after refusing to convert, his services were terminated.
VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders demanded an impartial probe into the allegations and strict action against those found responsible. They alleged that employees were being coerced into changing their religion under the guise of providing education and employment, adding that similar complaints had been made in the past but no action was taken.
Responding to the incident, police said a committee constituted under the supervision of the District Education Officer had already completed an inquiry into the allegations of forced religious conversion involving school employees. Further action, they said, would be taken based on the findings of that report.
City Superintendent of Police Sonu Kurmi said the entire incident had been videographed. He added that if the investigation establishes acts of vandalism or any other criminal offence during the protest, those responsible would face legal action.
Police said the investigation into both the conversion allegations and the violence during the protest is ongoing, and further action will depend on the outcome of the inquiry.
Tension prevailed in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur on Tuesday after activists of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest outside a Catholic school over allegations of religious conversion. The demonstration turned violent, with stones allegedly being hurled at the school building, damaging window panes, while protesters also reportedly scuffled with police personnel. Following the incident, heavy police deployment was made in the area to maintain law and order.
According to police, a large number of VHP and Bajrang Dal workers gathered outside the missionary-run school in the Madhotal area after allegations surfaced that staff members were being pressured to convert to Christianity. During the protest, slogans were raised and some demonstrators allegedly pelted stones at the school premises, resulting in damage to the building. Women were also among those participating in the protest.
Police personnel intervened to stop the protesters, leading to a brief scuffle before additional forces were rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.
The controversy stems from allegations made by a former school employee, who claimed he was repeatedly asked to visit a church and was pressured to embrace Christianity. He alleged that after refusing to convert, his services were terminated.
VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders demanded an impartial probe into the allegations and strict action against those found responsible. They alleged that employees were being coerced into changing their religion under the guise of providing education and employment, adding that similar complaints had been made in the past but no action was taken.
Responding to the incident, police said a committee constituted under the supervision of the District Education Officer had already completed an inquiry into the allegations of forced religious conversion involving school employees. Further action, they said, would be taken based on the findings of that report.
City Superintendent of Police Sonu Kurmi said the entire incident had been videographed. He added that if the investigation establishes acts of vandalism or any other criminal offence during the protest, those responsible would face legal action.
Police said the investigation into both the conversion allegations and the violence during the protest is ongoing, and further action will depend on the outcome of the inquiry.
