Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – December 24, 2025
Tensions simmered in Jabalpur over the weekend as members of the Bajrang Dal, a youth wing of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), disrupted two separate Christian gatherings, accusing organizers of engaging in forced religious conversions. The incidents, occurring on December 20 and 21, have drawn sharp criticism from rights groups and prompted police investigations amid broader concerns over rising anti-Christian vigilantism during the Christmas season.
The first confrontation unfolded on Saturday, December 20, behind a church near Hawabagh College in the Gorakhpur police station area. Bajrang Dal activists stormed a Christmas lunch event organized for visually challenged students, halting proceedings and alleging that the gathering was a front for proselytizing activities. Eyewitness accounts and social media footage describe the group entering the premises uninvited, questioning the presence of the students, and claiming the event lacked permission from school authorities.
In a particularly disturbing escalation, a visually impaired woman attending the lunch was allegedly assaulted by Anju Bhargava, the BJP's Jabalpur district vice president, who was reportedly present during the disruption. Video evidence circulating on social media shows the altercation, with the woman being pushed and verbally accosted amid chants from the activists. Organizers of the event, including local Christian missionaries, vehemently denied any conversion efforts, emphasizing that the lunch was a charitable initiative to provide festive meals and support to underprivileged children.
The following day, Sunday, December 21, saw a second clash in the Shakti Nagar locality under the Madhotal police station jurisdiction. A group of Hindu right-wing activists, again including Bajrang Dal members, arrived at a site where a Christian prayer gathering was underway. They disrupted the service, reiterating allegations of illegal conversions and leading to scuffles between the two sides. No serious injuries were reported in the second incident, but the confrontation heightened fears among the local Christian community.
Police swiftly intervened in both cases to prevent further escalation. In the first incident, the Jabalpur district administration ordered a probe into the activities of the organizing Christian group, while no formal complaints were initially filed. For the Sunday clash, Circle Superintendent of Police BS Gathoria confirmed that investigations had been launched following complaints from both parties, with assurances of impartial action. As of Wednesday, no arrests had been made, though activists from the Bajrang Dal and RSS affiliates were briefly detained for questioning in related probes.
The events in Jabalpur are part of a disturbing pattern of disruptions targeting Christian celebrations across India this holiday season. Reports indicate similar incidents in Odisha and other states, where Hindu extremists have attempted to curtail Christmas events under the guise of anti-conversion laws. Rights organizations, including the Anti-Christian Tracker Watch, have condemned the attacks as a "moral collapse," calling on international bodies like Human Rights Watch and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to intervene.
Local Christian leaders expressed dismay, with one organizer stating anonymously, "These baseless accusations are tearing at the fabric of our pluralistic society. We only seek to serve the needy, not convert anyone." Bajrang Dal representatives defended their actions, claiming they were protecting vulnerable Hindus from "coercive tactics," though they provided no evidence to substantiate the claims.
As Christmas Eve approaches, security has been beefed up around churches in Jabalpur, and community leaders from both sides have urged restraint to avoid further communal discord. The Madhya Pradesh government has yet to issue an official statement, but sources indicate high-level monitoring to prevent recurrence.
This report is based on verified accounts and ongoing developments. Updates will follow as the situation evolves.
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