Forced Conversion of Hindu Pilgrims by Hussain Bhasha [Tekkalakote, Karnataka]

(Reported as seen)

In Karnataka, a case of forced religious conversion has surfaced with the arrest of Hussain Bhasha, 44, who attempted to convert Hindu pilgrims on their way to the Mantralaya pilgrimage. His accomplice, Sai Baba, is currently at large. The incident occurred near Siraguppa in the Bellary district, leading to a case being registered at the Tekkalakote police station.

On July 18, Bhasha and Sai Baba allegedly approached three Hindu pilgrims traveling on foot along the Siruguppa National Highway. The pilgrims, carrying saffron flags, were heading towards the Mantralaya temple when the accused tried to convert them to Islam. One of the pilgrims, Gadilingappa, filed a complaint and recorded footage of the incident on his mobile phone, which captured the individuals of another religion questioning their Guru.

Gadilingappa warned fellow pilgrims not to be swayed by the proselytizers’ words, asserting that they were attempting to convert the devotees to Islam. The local community expressed concern over the incident, prompting a police investigation to ensure such occurrences do not happen again. Authorities are actively searching for the second suspect, Sai Baba, a postgraduate student at Bellary University.

Bellary district superintendent of police, Dr. Shobha Rani, confirmed that a case had been registered under BNS section 5, and Bhasha was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. The police are also investigating whether the accused were involved in similar activities and have seized relevant literature.

The incident, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, sparked outrage among the Hindu community. The video shows the accused preaching about Islam, claiming that the Quran, Bhagavad Gita, and Bible all reference the same god, Allah. Eyewitnesses reported that the accused preached that everyone should worship Allah to lead a good life and attain heaven after death.

This case has reignited discussions about religious tolerance and the right to practice one’s faith freely without coercion. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to prevent such incidents in the future.