Christian man in India accused of forced conversion

A Christian man in India has been accused
of forcibly converting a 14-year-old boy.

A Christian man from Alagandi (Putturtaluk, Karnataka) has been accused of forcing a 14-year-old boy to convert to Christianity, reports the Global Council of Indian Christians.

Militants went to the house of Praveen Lancy D’Souza, 29, to arrest him for allegedly forcing the conversion of Karthik, a boy who had come to Praveen seeking refuge and shelter from his abusive step-mother.

During Karthik’s three-month stay in Praveen’s home, he observed Praveen’s parents and four siblings praying together as a small group. Karthik, grateful for the D’Souza’s generosity, found work nearby to help support himself.

Extremists in the area heard about the situation from Karthik’s parents and, along with several police, searched for Praveen at the D’Souza’s house. Not finding Praveen, who was at work at the time, the officers arrested his younger brother, Melwin. They warned Mr. and Mrs. D’Souza that unless Praveen surrendered himself, Melwin would not be released.

Praveen surrendered himself to police on Saturday, July 2. He remains in prison until a hearing is scheduled to deal with charges of kidnapping and forced conversion.

You can read the full article here.

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