Thousands of Hindus Rally in K’taka’s Kushalnagar, Demand Crackdown on Alleged Religious Conversions.

Hindu Groups Hold Massive Rally in Karnataka’s Kushalnagar Against Alleged Religious Conversions Growing in the Region.

B. Upendran | HENB | MADIKERI (Karnataka), July 1, 2026:: Thousands of members of various Hindu organisations, along with local residents, participated in a massive protest rally in Karnataka’s Kushalnagar on Tuesday, expressing concern over alleged forceful and deceitful religious conversions and demanding stringent legal action against those involved.

The protest, organised by several Hindu groups, witnessed widespread public participation, with demonstrators raising pro-Hindu slogans and carrying saffron flags. As a mark of solidarity, several shops and commercial establishments across Kushalnagar voluntarily remained closed from 6 a.m. until noon.

The rally commenced in Kushalnagar town and proceeded towards the Cauvery Nisargadhama tourist centre. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Jai Shree Ram” and called for the protection of Hindu Dharma while urging the government to take effective measures against alleged religious conversions.

According to the organisers, nearly 5,000 people took part in the march. Participants demanded strict legal action against individuals allegedly involved in converting Hindu women to Islam through coercion or deception. The agitation was reportedly triggered by a recent case involving the conversion of a Hindu mother and her son to Islam in Kushalnagar, which has generated considerable concern among local Hindu organisations.

Following the rally, a public awareness conference was organised, where leaders of various Hindu organisations addressed the gathering.

Delivering the keynote address, Satish Davangere, co-convener of Hindu Jagran Vedike’s Dakshina Karnataka province, asserted that alleged forceful religious conversions could be effectively countered only if Hindus remained united above caste and political differences.

He urged Hindu parents to remain vigilant about their children’s activities and encourage them to study the Bhagavad Gita and other Hindu scriptures and traditions to strengthen their cultural and religious identity.

Satish also alleged that incidents commonly referred to by Hindu organisations as “love jihad” had begun surfacing in Kodagu district as early as 1995, describing the trend as a matter of serious concern. At the same time, he clarified that the movement was not directed against any particular religious community.

“Indians are not anti-Muslim. Not all Muslims and Christians are bad. Everyone should remain loyal to their own religion,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, Hindu Suraksha Samiti Convenor B. Amrutha Raj stated that the campaign against religious conversion was not aimed at any particular community but was intended to create awareness among the public.

“Both the poor and the rich are becoming victims of forceful religious conversions. Society must remain alert to such activities and work collectively to prevent them,” he said.

Hindu organisations participating in the protest alleged that instances of religious conversion, particularly those involving coercion, inducement or deception, have become a growing concern in several parts of the country. They argued that such activities could potentially alter the demographic balance in the long term and contribute to a decline in the Hindu population. The organisations called upon both the State and Central governments to strengthen laws against unlawful religious conversions and ensure their strict enforcement.

The protest concluded peacefully after the awareness conference, with organisers reiterating their commitment to conducting similar awareness programmes across the region to educate people about what they described as the social and cultural consequences of forceful religious conversions.
…
_Agency Inputs.