Two held for offering cash, benefits for religious conversion in Vadali

Vadali: Two individuals have been arrested for allegedly offering money and incentives to locals in Vadali for converting to Christianity. Ratilal Parmar from Surendranagar and Bhanvarlal Pardhi from Udaipur, Rajasthan, were arrested after allegedly approaching the complainant and others with conversion offers in Vadali town, said the local police.

According to an FIR registered on Monday, the accused allegedly promised Rs 20,000 and other benefits to some individuals, including the complainant, in exchange for religious conversion. They also claimed that converting to Christianity had helped them overcome health and financial difficulties and that others would experience similar benefits, the FIR stated.

The complainant also alleged that the duo made derogatory remarks about Hindu gods and goddesses, which he claimed hurt religious sentiments. He alerted local Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members, who confronted the suspects at a marketplace where they were allegedly trying to persuade people to convert.

Following a complaint by VHP and Bajrang Dal members, Vadali police registered an FIR. The accused have been booked under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for insulting religious beliefs and provisions of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act, which criminalizes forcible or fraudulent conversions. DeshGujarat