Four Catholics arrested in Rajasthan after confronting Hindu mob that disrupted Mass, raising concerns over religious freedom and law enforcement.
Newsroom (04/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) Police in India’s western state of Rajasthan have arrested four Catholics following a confrontation with a group of Hindu nationalist activists who disrupted a Eucharistic celebration, escalating tensions in a region already marked by strict anti-conversion laws.
The arrests stem from an incident on May 1 in Kalinjara village, located in Banswara district, where approximately 13 Hindu activists allegedly forced their way into a parish substation during a Communion service. According to Father Arvind Amliyar, the parish priest of Bandaria parish in the Udaipur diocese, the group entered the premises, began filming the religious ceremony, and accused the congregation of engaging in unlawful religious conversions.
“They entered the substation during Communion and started filming it on their mobiles, and then began alleging religious conversion activity,” Amliyar told UCA News on April 3. The activists also reportedly claimed that a cow had been killed for a community feast—an allegation that heightened tensions in the predominantly Hindu region.
Parishioners attempted to intervene, leading to a physical altercation. “One of them even tried to threaten our men with a knife, but he was overpowered, and the knife was snatched from him,” the priest said.
Police subsequently arrived at the scene and arrested four Catholics, including a retired government school teacher. In total, 15 individuals—four detained and 11 others—were charged with serious offenses, including rioting and attempted murder, as well as wrongful restraint, breach of peace, and illegal conversion. A local court later remanded the four individuals in custody.
Amliyar criticized the police response, alleging bias in handling the situation. “It is very unfortunate that our people have been accused of serious criminal offenses and arrested for opposing right-wing Hindu activists’ illegal acts,” he said. He added that when parishioners attempted to file a complaint against the activists, police refused, citing that a case had already been registered.
The incident prompted protests by the Hindu group outside a local police station, where demonstrators demanded action against the Catholic community.
Bishop Devprasad John Ganawa of Udaipur condemned the disruption, warning of broader societal consequences. “Such actions lead to disharmony in society,” he said on May 4. Emphasizing constitutional protections, he added, “We are all living in a constitutionally governed society where everyone has freedom to practice and propagate the religion of one’s choice, and which should be respected by all.”
One of the accused, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated plans to challenge the charges. “We will fight this case as it has now become important for us to clear our names regarding the fake charges,” he said, adding that they intend to approach senior district police officials.
The episode highlights ongoing tensions surrounding religious practices in Rajasthan, one of 13 Indian states with stringent anti-conversion laws. Many of these states are governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Christian groups have challenged the constitutional validity of such laws in India’s Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear the petitions but has not suspended their enforcement.
Christians constitute a small minority in Rajasthan, accounting for approximately 0.15 percent of the state’s nearly 70 million residents, while Hindus comprise about 88 percent of the population.
Parishioners in Kalinjara have expressed concern that local authorities failed to protect their right to worship, alleging that law enforcement sided with the mob rather than addressing the disruption of a religious service.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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