National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) unearthed a scam of converting Hindu minor girls to Christian faith in the Children Home for Girls managed by a Christian organization, Missionary of Charity in Makarpura area of Vadodara.

NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo had visited this place during his visit to Vadodara on 29th August during which he had received details of the religious conversion activities involving minors. The NCPCR took Suo moto actions considering the breach of section 28 (3) of Indian constitution. The social security department had started actions after the order of NCPCR.

The local Child welfare committee chairman Shankarlal Trivedi and his team visited the Christian facility on 9th December. They found the girls living there wearing Christian religious symbol of cross in their necks. The girls claimed that they were given non-vegetarian food including mutton in their meal. It was alleged that the institute gave the bible to the girls for reading and attempted to convert them to Christian religion.

The committee noted that a Punjabi origin girl was wed to Christian boy as per the christian rituals. The committee alleged that the institute encourages religious conversion and suggested that another alternative of the institute should be found to house the children. The committee instructed to remove the crosses from the necks of the girls in the institute. The committee submitted their report to the collector on 11th December.

The Children Home for Girls managed by Missionaries of Charity runs in the Makarpura area of the city. The institute keeps missing and homeless girls.

After the collector’s order, social security department officer Mayankbhai Trivedi filed an FIR against Children Home for Girls at Makarpura Police Station on behalf of the government. Makarpura Police filed a crime against the institute under the sections of Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act and IPC section 295(A) and 298. The investigation is managed by ACP SB Kumpawat.