Villagers allege illegal church constructions and conversion in Dharampur and Kaprada

Valsad: Several Christians have allegedly started the illegal construction of churches by installing large crosses on government lands in Dharampur and Kaprada talukas of Valsad, as claimed by leaders from Virval village in Dharampur. They have submitted a written complaint to the Prant officer in the matter.

A month ago, leaders from Vadoli village in Kaprada had also raised similar concerns about extensive religious conversions taking place through the illegal establishment of churches on government land, abandoned areas, and forests in Kaprada and Dharampur. They had lodged a complaint with the district collector and DSP of Valsad. Now, leaders from Virval village in Dharampur have also presented a written complaint to the Dharampur Prant Officer.

Parimalbhai R Garasiya and other leaders from Virval in Dharampur taluka, in their memorandum submitted to the Dharampur Prant Officer, have alleged that several individuals have installed large crosses on Suliya hill in Moti Korval, Pendhardevi hill in Kaprada, Simkhadak Faliya hill in Vadoli (Kaprada), and in Mandwa village.

On July 20, 2023, a total of 20 leaders from Vadoli in Kaprada submitted a memorandum to Ansuya Jha, Valsad’s ADM, alleging that tribal religious conversions have surged over the past 5 years in Vadoli. They claimed that an unauthorised council formed by seven individuals in the village had illegally constructed six churches.DeshGujarat