UP: 8 Arrested at Christian Prayer Meet After Conversion Complaint

An eye-witness said nine activists of a right-wing organisation ambushed the meeting, then returned with the police.

The eight were reportedly booked under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Image used for representation.

(Photo: iStock)

Eight people were arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district on Sunday while attending a Christian prayer meeting, following complaints of religious conversion, Hindustan Times reported.

The eight were reportedly booked under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which decrees that continuing in assembly of five or more people, “that may cause disturbance of public peace,” despite orders to disperse, is punishable with a maximum jail term of six months, or fine, or both.

HT quoted an eye-witness as saying nine activists of a right-wing organisation ambushed the meeting, then later returned with the police.

Among those booked is Sone Lal, a farmer, who was leading the prayer meeting.

“Around 300 people assembled as usual on Sunday morning. Suddenly eight to nine people barged in and demanded that the prayer meeting be stopped. They also threatened us,” he said.

Several attending the event were Hindus, HT reported, who had started going to the meetings after alleged miracles in the lives of acquaintances. There were similar disruptions at other prayer meetings in nearby Birner village on 29 October and 5 November, HT reported.