Hindu Organizations Attempt to Stop Two Large Christian Gatherings

10/21/2024 India (International Christian Concern) — Two Hindu nationalist organizations are trying to stop two large public Christian conventions scheduled to take place in different provinces of the Central Indian state of Chhattisgarh.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal have submitted appeals to the police and district administrative officials, warning that unless the conventions are canceled, authorities will be responsible for any subsequent communal disturbances.
While the VHP is demanding the cancelation of a large November convention organized by Paul Dinakaran, a well-known Pentecostal preacher from South India in the southern Bastar district, the Bajrang Dal is seeking to stop Pastor Bajinder from New Delhi, famous for his healing crusades, from leading a gathering later this month in Bhilai, in the northern part of Chhattisgarh.

In its memorandum to authorities in Bastar, the VHP described Dinakaran as a criminal and called his program damaging to the district’s cultural and religious fabric.

The VHP also alleged that foreign Christian missionaries are influencing the cultural identity of Bastar, a sensitive tribal-dominated area, through forced conversions.

The Bajrang Dal, meanwhile, has alleged that Pastor Bajinder, through healing and prayer events, influences the conversions of poor and vulnerable families. The organization has stated it will go to any extent to stop Bajinder’s two-day event if the authorities don’t take action.

Jesus Calls Global Ministry, the organizer of the Dinakaran’s two-day convention in Bastar, said that the Hindu fanatics are trying to curtail the fundamental rights of India’s citizens. A Christian social worker told International Christian Concern (ICC) that Christians have constitutional rights to preach and propagate their religion, so Hindu nationalists are upset that government officials have approved Dinakaran’s convention.

The organizers of Bajinder’s meeting told local media that the program is organized for Christians, but Hindus are also welcome to come for healing and prayers.