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Police in Uttar Pradesh reprimanded a pastor for the fourth time on September 24 based on allegations of forced conversions made by Hindu extremists after he was arrested twice and faced court proceedings for similar allegations earlier.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most they can do is put us in jail, what else can they do,\u201d remarked 45-year-old Shakuntala, the pastor’s wife, while recounting the incident to Christian Today.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The pastor, identified only by his first name, Shriram, hails from Semrahana Village in Bahraich district. Despite facing numerous attempts to deter him, he fearlessly ministers God\u2019s word to his modest congregation of 25-30 individuals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shriram, 51, faced detention in 2004 when a formal complaint was lodged against him by right-wing groups. He underwent extensive questioning by several police officials and high-ranking authorities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy case caused quite an uproar and was widely covered in newspapers, but by God\u2019s grace, the charges were eventually dropped,\u201d Shriram informed CT.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In 2021, he was once again arrested at the behest of a Hindu extremist, resulting in a First Information Report (FIR) being filed against him. After over a year of legal battle, he was acquitted without any charges pressed by the magistrate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In February 2023, police, accompanied by the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and numerous high-ranking officials, arrived at Shriram\u2019s residence for his arrest. Coincidentally, Shriram was away preaching in another church that day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had a heated exchange with my wife,\u201d Shriram recounted. His wife fearlessly pointed out that they were mistreating them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all believe in Jesus and will continue to follow Christ even if we face hardships,\u201d affirmed Shakuntala to the authorities. Shriram confirmed that no formal report was filed against him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The most recent FIR was lodged against Shriram in June 2023. Then, on September 2, during a program where the SDM was present, some right-wing members submitted a written complaint to the SDM against Shriram. The news of this complaint was published in a newspaper. On September 24, the police, along with several high officials, arrived at Shriram\u2019s house carrying the same newspaper coverage, said Shriram.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The police urged Shriram to discontinue the church gatherings, to which he politely refused.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSir, I believe with all my heart, and my entire family believes too,\u201d said Shriram to the officials. \u201cThe way my faith is today, it will remain the same tomorrow. We will not abandon Jesus even in times of trouble. So, do as you must. You have the freedom to take me to jail, but I cannot renounce my faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0The officials left after warning Shriram.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shriram started spreading the gospel after he accepted Christ 31 years ago. He claims to be the first person who travelled in Mihinpurwa block in Bahraich district and planted churches.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this entire block I was the first person to plant churches. I started about 28 churches,\u201d he claimed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Apart from the church that met at Shriram\u2019s house, he handled 2 more churches \u2013 one in Hari Lal\u2019s house where 12 people gathered and the second in Prem Narayan\u2019s house where 15 \u2013 18 people gathered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The churches that met at Lal and Narayan\u2019s house have been shut. \u201cPeople have got scared and everybody stopped coming,\u201d narrated Shriram.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Shriram and other local Christian leaders, Bahraich has become a hotspot for such incidents. \u201cAt least 8 churches have been forced to close,\u201d he stated, noting that many of his congregation members have stopped attending due to fear of attacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A Christian leader in the area, who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons, asserted, \u201c58 Christians have been arrested and incarcerated in Bahraich alone since June 2023 under various FIRs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He emphasised that the Indian constitution guarantees every individual the right to choose and practise their religion of choice. Additionally, he pointed out that Dalits and the Backward Class are intentionally targeted. \u201cOut of all the Christians arrested in Bahraich, 95 percent of them belong to the Dalit or the Backward Classes,\u201d concluded the leader.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n