Malda, Nov. 1 -- Tension erupted at Gola More in Harishchandrapur police station area on Sunday afternoon following allegations of forced religious conversions among members of the Musahar community, a Scheduled Caste group. Religious heads of a community were alleged of offering money to persuade economically disadvantaged families to embrace a faith.
According to local sources, around 100 Musahar families live in the area, of which nearly 40 have reportedly embraced a particular faith. A prayer meeting was allegedly organised on Sunday, where other families were being persuaded to convert. After receiving information, members of the Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagaran Manch reached the spot to protest.
An argument between the two groups soon escalated into violence, with allegations of assault and vandalism at the house where the prayer meeting was being held. Five Bajrang Dal members sustained injuries and were admitted to Harishchandrapur Rural Hospital.
Ritam Das, convenor of the Bajrang Dal's North Malda organisational district, alleged: "Some people are using foreign funds to influence economically vulnerable people and convert. The administration must investigate the matter and take appropriate action." BJP leader Arjun Keshri said: "Religious conversion through inducement will not be tolerated."
However, Daraj Musahar, a local resident who has embraced Christianity, said: "We have accepted this faith of our own free will. We were holding Sunday prayers when outsiders arrived and vandalised the place."
Malda SP Anupam Singh said: "A prayer meeting was underway on Sunday when tension broke out. Police reached the spot, and the entire incident is being investigated."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.