Madhya Pradesh: ‘Faith-healing’ congregation in Guna village lands two pastors in jail; police probe wider ‘conversion network’.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Guna (Madhya Pradesh) | April 12, 2026:: A “Changai – faith healing” congregation in a remote village of Madhya Pradesh has led to the arrest of two pastors allegedly associated with the lesser-known ‘Light of Jesus Church’ and has sparked a wider police investigation into an alleged religious conversion network operating in the region.

According to police officials in Guna district, an FIR has been registered against Pastors Uttam Barela and Vikas Barela and their associates for allegedly conducting conversion activities under the guise of a healing event in Mohanpur Khurd village under Myana police station limits.

The case came to light after a complaint was filed by Brijesh Bairagi, a resident of Karod village, who claimed to have witnessed the gathering on April 5 while passing through the area. Acting on the complaint, police initiated a preliminary inquiry and subsequently arrested one of the accused, while efforts are ongoing to trace others allegedly involved.

Allegations of ‘Faith Healing’ and Inducement

In his complaint, Bairagi alleged that a large number of villagers, including members of Hinjdu tribal communities, had assembled under a tent where a “healing congregation” was being organised. He claimed that the pastors were placing their hands on attendees and asserting that serious illnesses—including life-threatening diseases—could be cured through faith.

Police sources said the complaint further alleged that attendees were encouraged to embrace Christianity with promises of better health outcomes, financial assistance, and social support. It was also claimed that villagers were warned of continued suffering if they refused to convert.

Investigators added that the accused allegedly told attendees that conversion would not affect their caste identity or eligibility for government welfare benefits—an assurance that, according to the complainant, was used to ease concerns among participants.

According to Suresh Sharma, VHP’s regional coordinator for the MP–CG region, Christian organisations have made inroads into Hindu tribal society by appointing pastors from within tribal communities. These pastors are now deployed across various tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to allegedly run conversion rackets discreetly, with the support of substantial foreign funding.

Food, Videos, and Material Evidence

The FIR also includes claims that food, including plently of meat and chicken, was served at the event, which the complainant described as an inducement aimed at influencing economically vulnerable attendees.

Police officials confirmed that videos of the event circulating on social media, along with materials seized from the site, are being examined as part of the evidence. These inputs are expected to play a key role in determining the scale and intent of the gathering.

Probe into Larger Network

Authorities have indicated that the investigation is not limited to the single incident but is exploring whether similar events are being organised across rural pockets of the district as part of a coordinated effort.

“We are examining all aspects, including the possibility of a wider network behind such gatherings,” a senior police officer said, adding that strict action would be taken against anyone found involved in illegal conversions, coercion, or the promotion of superstition.

Legal and Social Context

Madhya Pradesh has laws regulating religious conversions, particularly those involving coercion, fraud, or inducement. Cases involving alleged misuse of religious gatherings for conversion have periodically surfaced in tribal and rural regions, often leading to legal scrutiny and social tensions.

Officials reiterated that the ongoing probe will rely on evidence and due process to establish whether any legal violations occurred in this instance.

Allegedly, Christian conversion rackets are increasing in the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh region, targeting poor Hindu tribal communities by exploiting their financial conditions, inadequate education, limited healthcare facilities, and lack of employment opportunities.

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_Inputs from Swadesh News.