Pastor Attacked: Sulthan Bathery Police File Suo Motu Case

Quick Summary:

• Sulthan Bathery police in Wayanad district, Kerala, have registered a suo motu case regarding an alleged attempt by suspected Bajrang Dal members to manhandle a pastor.
• The incident reportedly occurred on April 2,2025,but came to light after video footage went viral on social media.
• The pastor, representing the Pentecost Church, was accused of conducting a door-to-door religious conversion campaign. Police state he was allegedly threatened while inviting children in a tribal settlement to attend a summer camp.
• Investigations are ongoing with efforts to identify the attackers and record statements from the pastor and tribespeople for clarification.
• Legal provisions invoked include Sections 192 (provocation with intent to cause riot), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), and Section 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (criminal acts with shared intention).
• Context: This incident takes place amidst recent controversies in other states like Chhattisgarh over allegations of forced religious conversions and arrests involving Catholic nuns,which have drawn political and community-level criticisms.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
This case highlights the sensitive nature of alleged forced religious conversions in India. While the police’s proactive registration of a case suggests responsiveness toward maintaining communal harmony and legal order, such incidents also underscore deep-rooted tensions linked to religion and tribal outreach activities. Striking an evidence-based balance is crucial given societal polarization around conversion-related claims. The broader context-controversies surrounding similar events like those involving Catholic nuns-amplifies public scrutiny on how authorities manage justice impartially without escalating social discord.

Read More