Fri Apr 04 00:49:11 UTC 2025: ## Opposition Condemns Alleged Attack on Christian Priests in Madhya Pradesh

**New Delhi, April 4, 2025** – Opposition leaders strongly condemned an alleged attack on Christian priests in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal led the criticism, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of enabling such incidents.

The alleged assault occurred on March 31 at the Ranjhi Police Station during an inquiry into allegations of forced religious conversions by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). According to Jabalpur Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay, an FIR has been filed against three unknown individuals, and investigations are underway. While police claim the incident involved arguments and pushing, not assault, videos circulating online appear to show a woman slapping a priest.

Opposition members raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, demanding a discussion. Their request was denied, leading to a walkout by Congress and other opposition MPs, followed by a protest inside Parliament. Mr. Vijayan described the incident as an attack on India’s secular fabric, while Mr. Venugopal claimed it was one of 753 attacks on churches in the last year.

The VHP alleges that tribal people from Mandla were forcibly brought to Jabalpur for religious conversion. However, the police report states that individuals on a bus, including the priests, identified as Christians but had Hindu identities on their documents. After verification, they were allowed to leave.

The incident has sparked outrage among opposition parties who allege inaction by the government and a rise in communal violence targeting religious minorities. They are demanding immediate action against those responsible.

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