Complaint filed by ‘Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti’ against Christians attempting religious conversion during Ashadhi Wari in Fatima Nagar

Case filed against Arogyashaili Allwyn Gaikwad at Wanowrie Police Station, Pune

Pune (Maharashtra) – A complaint was filed on 22^nd June at Wanowrie Police Station by H.B.P. Dattatraya Maharaj Chorghe, Secretary of Chintamani Prasadik Dindi, on behalf of the Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti, against Christian missionaries who allegedly attempted to convert Warkaris (devotees) by infiltrating the Ashadhi Wari (pilgrimage to seek the blessings of Lord Vitthal). An additional complaint was also filed by Mr Chetan Patil from Vadgaon Sheri. Following these complaints, a case has been registered against Arogyashaili Allwyn Gaikwad from Pune under Sections 196(1), 299, and 353(2) of the Indian Penal Code 2023 at Wanowrie Police Station. During the Ashadhi Wari, at Fatima Nagar, a location on the pilgrimage route of the palkhis (palanquins) of Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Jagadguru Saint Tukaram Maharaj, a group of women were allegedly distributing pamphlets from the Bible to Warkaris heading to Pandharpur.

These Christian evangelist women reportedly handed out pamphlets to both the Warkaris and Hindu devotees who had gathered to witness the procession. The leaflets encouraged them to worship Jesus and contained phrases like ‘Jesus is the saviour’ and ‘Jesus Christ is the only true God’. Taking prompt notice of the incident, the Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti filed a formal complaint at Wanowrie Police Station.