04/09/2019 India (International Christian Concern) – On April 6, Pastor Douglas, head pastor at a Church of South India in the Nilgiris District of India’s Tamil Nadu State, was falsely accused of committing forced conversions by members of the Hindu Munnani group. Using their influence with local police, the Hindu Munnani were able to have Pastor Douglas taken to the police station for questioning.

According to the sources reached by International Christians Concern (ICC), a group of 15 people, escorted by two police personnel, surrounded the Christian house in Aghalaras that Pastor Douglas had been using as a worship hall. Mr. Manjunath, who is a local leader of the Hindu Munnani, accused Pastor Douglas of doing forcible conversions and demanded the congregation not assemble for any kind of Christian worship.

Police then took Pastor Douglas to the local station for questioning based on the accusation made by Mr. Manjunath. According to Pastor Douglas, 35 Christians regularly attend services at the worship hall.

“We have been here in the area for the last 28 years,” Pastor Douglas shared with ICC. “We have never faced this kind of hostile situation. The accusation is that we create a nuisance and cause discomfort to other people. The truth is, we don’t even have electricity at the worship hall so we do not have loud music or a public address system.”

After questioning Pastor Douglas, police found the forced conversion accusation leveled against him to be false. After releasing Pastor Douglas, the police reprimanded members of the Hindu Munnani who disturbed the peaceful Christian worshipers.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].