Kathmandu: A case of religious conversion involving Dalit Hindus being converted to Christianity has surfaced in Nepal’s Dhanusha district. On Saturday, August 31, 2024, members of various Hindu organizations staged a protest outside a local church, accusing it of luring impoverished Hindus into converting to Christianity.
Upon receiving reports of the protest, police rushed to the scene to prevent any violence and to defuse the growing tension. Despite their efforts, both sides continued to engage in heated exchanges, leading the police to seal the church, which was found to be operating without proper legal documentation. The protesters identified the main accused as Bharat Mahato, a Hindu by birth who later converted to Christianity and now serves as the pastor of the church.
The incident occurred in Shaheed Nagar Municipality, Ward No. 3, where the Dalit community comprises a significant portion of the population. According to reports, a church was established in this ward around five years ago. In a short time, the church began attracting local residents, many of whom were from poor backgrounds.
Rajesh Yadav, the National President of Nepal’s Hindu Samrat Sena, told media that his organization had been monitoring the church’s activities for some time. They accused the church of exploiting naive and poor Dalit Hindus through prayer meetings, which later led to attempts at converting them to Christianity.
Members of the Hindu Samrat Sena reportedly conducted their own investigation, sending people to attend the church’s prayer meetings. These attendees allegedly discovered that the church was distributing Bibles and encouraging Dalits to abandon Hinduism in favor of Christianity. Armed with video and photographic evidence, the Hindu Samrat Sena submitted a memorandum to the local administration about 15 days ago, demanding the closure of the church. However, no action was taken, and the church continued its activities.
On August 31, local residents and Hindu Samrat Sena members, angered by the ongoing situation, gathered outside the mud-built church. They reportedly witnessed minors being targeted for conversion during prayer meetings. The protesters raised chants of "Jai Shri Ram" as police and administrative officials arrived to inspect the church.
During their investigation, authorities discovered that the church was operating without any legal documentation, leading them to seal the building. Bibles and other Christian literature were also recovered from the premises. The Hindu Samrat Sena has since submitted a memorandum to the administration, demanding action against Pastor Bharat Mahato.
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