Conversion row: Dhamtari churches restrict entry to non-Christians

Churches in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari have put up notices restricting entry for worship to Christians, citing safety concerns amid disputes over alleged religious conversions. The district Christian Forum has asked other churches and prayer halls to display similar directives

Dhamtari: Churches in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari city have put up banners outside their premises stating that entry for worship is restricted to Christians and that those from other faiths who enter voluntarily will be responsible for their own actions.

The churches cited safety concerns for the move, which comes amid recent controversies in the district over allegations of religious conversion at Christian prayer meetings and disputes concerning the final rites of converted persons.

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The notices have been put up at eight churches in the city, while the Dhamtari District Christian Forum has asked community members to display similar directives outside churches and prayer meeting halls elsewhere in the district.

One such notice displayed at the 116-year-old Sunderganj Mennonite Church in Dhamtari reads: “As per the rules of the church management, entry into the church building for worship is only for Christians. Others, if they enter voluntarily, will (themselves) be responsible for it.”

The notices have been put up for the security of members of the Christian community, Dr Diamond Filus, general secretary of the Dhamtari District Christian Forum, told PTI over the phone on Thursday.

The decision to put up the notices was taken earlier this month but was strictly implemented after a September 15 meeting involving representatives of Hindu organisations, the Sarva Adivasi Samaj and the Christian Forum at the district Collectorate, he said.

Filus alleged that some officials were not upholding the Constitution and were instead siding with fringe elements.

He said Christian representatives had been asked by officials to attend the September 15 meeting but were not informed that members of right-wing organisations would also be present.

The issue of non-Christians visiting churches was raised by representatives of Hindu organisations at the meeting, who said those who had not converted should not be allowed to enter churches.

Some officials present at the meeting also supported the demand, he claimed.

Filus said incidents in the past in which right-wing activists allegedly created disturbances during prayer meetings over allegations of religious conversion had prompted the Christian community to take precautionary measures.

“We decided to put up the banners for our safety. If a non-Christian wants to enter, they can do so at their own responsibility, so that we can avoid legal complications if any issue arises,” he said.

The Christian Forum said the September 15 meeting was held after more than 1,000 people submitted self-declaration forms under the state’s new anti-conversion law at the district Collectorate, stating that they were attending religious meetings at churches or prayer halls voluntarily and at their own responsibility.

When contacted about the self-declaration forms, Dhamtari Additional Collector Indira Singh Dehari said she was not authorised to speak on the issue.

A district administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the issue had been sorted out but declined to provide details.