Bajrang Dal workers thrash NGO members alleging religious conversion!

Indore: Activists of rightwing extremist Hindutva group Bajrang Dal on Thursday allegedly bashed up members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Indore, alleging religious conversions, showed a video that surfaced in the public domain, Statesman reported.

The NGO has denied the charge, stressing that it works across various sectors for rural uplift. Meanwhile, a police official said that they did not receive any complaint concerning the assault, PTI reported.

The incident took place outside the Indore Press Club premises, where Howl Group founder Sourav Banerjee and other members of the NGO had arrived to address a press conference on the allegations that they were committing religious conversions. Two women associated with the NGO were also present.

A group of Bajrang Dal activists disrupted the press conference, creating a commotion. When he and others stepped out of the venue, they were assaulted by rightwing workers, who accused the NGO of indulging in religious conversion, and showed a video.

“We have been working in Shukrawasa village of Dewas district for the past five years in areas such as education, healthcare, employment and legal aid. The suspicion around (religious) conversion is completely baseless,” Banerjee told reporters.

Banerjee said the rightwing activists assaulted the NGO members without any evidence. “Let them bring even a single person whom our NGO has converted,” he challenged.

He alleged that some “corrupt and anti-social elements” in Shukrawasa were spreading rumours against the organisation and obstructing their work for personal gain.

Meanwhile, local Bajrang Dal leader Avinash Kaushal, who was present at the site, alleged that the NGO was converting innocent Hindu villagers to Christians and had “brainwashed” some youths into distancing themselves from their families.

Ravindra Parashar, in charge of the Central Kotwali police station, said no formal complaint has been received from any party regarding the incident outside the Press Club premises.