Christians in Jamgaon Face Pressure as Villagers Demand Church Closure Over Alleged Conversions

Chhattisgarh, July 11, 2025 : Tensions are mounting in Jamgaon village, under Narharpur Police Station in Kanker District, Chhattisgarh, as local residents have submitted a petition demanding the shutdown of a church prayer gathering they claim is operating illegally. Villagers allege that the prayer meetings are luring people into religious conversions and undermining the village’s cultural and traditional values.

In a formal application addressed to the Tehsildar, villagers have outlined their key demands:

• Immediate closure of the allegedly illegal church prayer meetings.

• A ban on all activities related to religious conversion.

• Protection of the village’s cultural and traditional practices.

This development has sparked significant concern about the protection of religious freedom and constitutional rights guaranteed to every Indian citizen.

Responding to the situation, the Progressive Christian Alliance released a statement appealing to the Christian community and all justice-loving citizens to pray for the church and its members, urging support so that worship and fellowship may continue fearlessly and faithfully amidst growing opposition.

Fr. Simon Digbal Tandi, Convenor of the Progressive Christian Alliance, shared his perspective in an interview with Catholic Connect Reporter.

“It is a violation of our religious freedom,” Fr. Tandi said. “These people are spreading rumours which are unauthorised. They don’t have any proof or evidence. People are just talking about culture and tradition, but we are law-abiding, and we follow local traditions and cultural practices and participate with them.”

Highlighting the growing hostility towards the church, Fr. Tandi revealed further incidents affecting the Christian community in Jamgaon. He shared how a woman who died of sickness, wasn’t allowed to be buried in her territory due to her Christian faith. He added, "The annual meeting of the Christian community, in the month of February, was also disturbed by them and was stopped. They continuously oppose the church. Their intention is to remove the church and stop it completely."

Fr. Tandi issued a heartfelt appeal: “We appeal to our community to stand with the church and pray for us, so that they may be encouraged and the church may continue their prayer and worship.”

The incident in Jamgaon underscores the fragile balance between safeguarding cultural identities and upholding constitutional rights, as communities and authorities grapple with rising religious tensions.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

Download Catholic Connect App for Daily News Updates:

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.catholic.connect

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/catholic-connect/id6466264667