Arise Bharat

-A.S. SANTHOSH

The recent arrest of the Pastor Chinta David Rajareddy in Andhra Pradesh, on charges of forcible conversions, harassment, and extortion has drawn significant attention, particularly in a state where Christian conversions are not uncommon. A closer look at the complaint against him reveals the disturbing nature of his actions, which highlight a much broader issue. This case serves as a stark reminder that religious conversion is not just a personal matter or a matter of personal faith, but also a serious social and national security concern.  

Targeting Christian-Free Villages:

Pastor David Rajareddy of the Indian Pentecostal Church chose the Christian-less village of Balabhadrapuram for his proselytizing activities. First he formed a Christian organization called ‘Anitara Sadhyadu Spiritual and Social Ministries Society’. In the village of Balabhadrapuram, where there are no Christians, he built a church without any permits in the middle of the residential complex. Slowly he started converting the Hindus of the village to Christianity in various ways.

Money from Missionaries for Conversions: 

According to the complaint filed against him, Pastor David Rajareddy is harassing a resident of his church, Nakka Srinivas, to convert from Hinduism to Christianity. In his complaint, the victim stated that Raja Reddy told him that there was pressure from the missionaries to convert the villagers to Christianity. The pastor often said that the missionaries set him a target of converting at least twenty people to Christianity per month. Moreover, if the family living opposite the church was not converted, it would be considered an insult to the missionaries.

Pastor’s diabolical action for conversion: 

It will be shocking to learn from the complaint on what the pastor did because the victim refused to accept Christianity. When Srinivas resisted to convert, the pastor escalated his tactics. Rajareddy reportedly began amplifying the sound of the loudspeakers at the church to disturb Srinivas, who lived nearby. In addition, the pastor began parking churchgoers’ vehicles in front of Srinivas’s house, creating further nuisance. In many places we see pastors who take pleasure in disturbing others through loud loudspeakers.

Extortion and Threats:

Pastor David Rajareddy started demanding Rs 1 lakh from the victim as a fund to the Church which he built illegally. When Srinivas refused, the pastor threatened to file false SC/ST cases against him and evict him from the area. Fearing further retaliation, Srinivas paid Rs 17,000, hoping it would resolve the issue, but the pastor’s demands only continued. Not only that, but the victim clarified in his complaint that the pastor threatened to remove him from living in that street if he did not pay the demanded money. With this, the victim, who gave seventeen thousand rupees to the pastor, thought that he would be comfortable. However, that pastor’s thirst for money was not satisfied.

Disruption in families 

Pastor David Rajareddy’s vile act fell on the family members of the victim Srinivas. When he could not give the money he asked, he advised him to convert his family members to Christianity. As the victim did not agree to that, the pastor targeted his newly married wife and brought him home. He tricked the victim’s wife and broke their marriage. The victim’s first wife got a divorce after being fooled by the words of the pastor. After some time again the victim Srinivas got married again and brought his wife home. But the ghost in the form of a pastor did not leave the family alone. It is said that the pastor started telling magic to his second wife as well. 

Legal Action against the Pastor: 

The victim lost patience with this and complained to the police as he thought it would be useless to wait any longer. After investigating the case thoroughly, the police registered an FIR against the Pastor David Rajareddy under Sections 130, 292, 351, 308(6) of the Indian Penal Code on 3rd November 2024. He was arrested on 11th November and was sent to Rajahmundry for remand.

While there have been previous incidents of pastors being arrested for sexual harassment or financial misconduct, this case appears to be the first in Andhra Pradesh where a pastor has been arrested for forced conversion and extortion. The case sheds light on the dangerous tactics some religious figures are willing to use to impose their beliefs, raising important questions about the unchecked influence of such individuals.

(Writer is working president of the Legal Rights Protection Forum)