Pimpri Chinchwad, 4th May 2026: A protest march titled тАШAakrosh MorchaтАЩ was taken out in Kalewadi on Sunday against alleged illegal religious conversions carried out by luring people and promoting superstition. Thousands of participants, including women, joined the march demanding that the truth behind the so-called тАЬKalewadi Conversion FilesтАЭ be brought to light and that those responsible be punished. MLA Shankar Jagtap said that the administration should not test the patience of the Hindu community, stating that the government would be held accountable for any consequences.
The march was held from Panchnath Chowk to Abaji Nanekar Chowk in Kalewadi. Several prominent leaders and office-bearers participated, including MLA Gopichand Padalkar and MLC Uma Khapre, advocate Varsha Dahale, BJP city president Shatrughan Kate, Prashant Shitole, corporators Vinod Nadhe and Neeta Padale, Komal Kale, general secretary Vaishali Khadye, Chinchwad-Kalewadi mandal president advocate Harshad Nadhe, social activist Kaluram Nadhe, along with members of various Hindu organisations.
MLA Gopichand Padalkar claimed that an organised religious conversion racket is operating in the Kalewadi area, causing concern among local residents. Naming a church located in the area, he asid the place has become a major hub for religious conversions in western Maharashtra. Padalkar has demanded an immediate investigation and strict action by the administration in this regard.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Jagtap said, тАЬIn the age of science, claiming to cure diseases through prayer is outright fraud. If that were true, there would be no need for hospitals. We will not allow this conversion racket, which exploits poverty and ignorance, to operate in Pimpri Chinchwad. The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act must be strictly implemented, and the accused should face stringent punishment along with fines up to Rs 10 lakh.тАЭ
Padalkar further said, тАЬWhile provisions exist under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act to curb such activities, strict enforcement is equally important. Laws alone will not solve the problem; the administration must act decisively against those involved. If anyone targets the Hindu community by exploiting poverty and helplessness, we will not remain silent. TodayтАЩs large turnout reflects the anger of the community. If timely action is not taken, this outrage will spread across Maharashtra, and the administration will be fully responsible.тАЭ
Among the key demands raised during the march were the immediate arrest of those allegedly masterminding illegal conversions, an inquiry into prayer centres accused of spreading superstition and their closure if found guilty, and action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against those accused of disturbing social harmony in Pimpri Chinchwad.
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