In Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur, a commotion inside a church premises just days before Christmas has triggered political and social outrage. It is alleged that members of Hindu right-wing organisations, along with a local office-bearer of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), behaved indecently with a visually impaired woman present inside the church after suspecting religious conversion. The matter has escalated after a video of the incident surfaced on social media.

The incident reportedly took place at a church located behind Hawabagh Women’s College. According to information available, BJP district vice-president Anju Bhargava arrived at the church along with workers of several organisations and accused the organisers of forcibly converting visually impaired children. The allegations soon led to a confrontation inside the church.

The viral video shows a visually impaired woman seated inside the church while a BJP leader is seen engaging in a heated argument with her. The footage also captures moments in which the woman is touched and her face appears to be held, prompting her to repeatedly protest and ask that she not be touched. As the situation intensified, others present at the site intervened, after which the police arrived and brought the situation under control.

According to the police, visually impaired students had been invited to the church for a community meal organised on the occasion of Christmas. The students were brought from a government-run hostel. They told the police that they were not forced to convert to any religion and that the programme was limited to food and prayers.

Police have denied the allegations of forced religious conversion in their preliminary inquiry. Officials said there is currently no evidence to suggest that any pressure was exerted on the children to change their religion. Following the disturbance, all the students were safely sent back to their hostel.

Meanwhile, Hindu right-wing organisations have lodged a complaint with the administration, questioning how students from a government hostel were taken to a religious place without prior permission. They have alleged that only Christian religious activities were conducted at the venue and have also raised objections regarding the food served.

The incident has also raised questions about the role of the administration, particularly concerning the police presence and their initial response. An investigation is underway, and further action is expected based on the viral video and other evidence.