Christian ‘Love Jihad’ in Bihar’s Seemanchal region

Hundreds of Hindu girls converted along with their families, Christianisation of many villages

Patliputra (Bihar) – Many Christian boys are luring Hindu girls into their love traps in many Districts of Bihar. They are using tactics similar to ‘Love Jihad’ used by religious fanatic Muslims, and converting Hindu girls, followed by converting their families. This information has been brought forth through a ‘sting’ operation carried out by a national-level Hindi newspaper.

Araria, Katihar, Kishanganj, Purnea, Bhagalpur, Madhepura and Begusarai Districts are being targeted. The level of literacy is very low in these Districts; therefore, it becomes easy for the missionaries to mislead Hindus.

The number of churches has increased greatly in many villages in these Districts between 1999 and 2005. The focus of the missionaries has been primarily on villages. Madhepura is a District where the Christian population has reached 40 to 60 per cent in many villages. Tinkonwa village of Murliganj block in this District is an example of this. This village of 1400 households, situated 260 kilometres away from Patna, is very backward in terms of education.

The population here is 60,000, but the number of churches here is quite surprising. There is a school run by missionaries for classes up to the 8th standard. They also run a hospital.

How conversions are carried out

The people working in schools and health centres operated in various villages, and rural areas in the State are mostly Christians who are converting Hindus. They slowly inculcate the importance of Christianity in people and convert them.

R Hambram and his wife Lalita, originally a Hindu, have the responsibility of converting Tinkonwa village. Lalita said in this context that many Christian boys have married Hindu girls after converting them.

People are encouraged to adopt Christianity through the medium of prayer meetings and music. Influential families in the area have also converted to Christianity.