The Children’s Home for Girls, administered by the Missionaries of Charity on Makarpura Road in Vadodara city, was accused of converting the girls staying in the institution, according to a complaint filed with the Makarpura police station. The girls were allegedly encouraged to read the holy literature and wear crosses provided by the organization. The case is still being looked at by the police.
Mayank Trivedi, the Vadodara Incharge- Social Welfare Officer, detailed their visit to the organization on December 10th, as directed by the collector, in his complaint. The Chairperson of the National Committee for the Protection of Children’s Rights paid a visit to the institute and ordered an inquiry by the Collector.
On the basis of this, a committee was formed, which visited the organization and presented a report to the collector, as well as filed a complaint with the Makarpura police station on December 12th.
“The officer in charge of social welfare files a complaint, and the police file a case under different parts of the IPC, including sections 3, 4 of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act of 2003. In August, the Chairperson of the National Committee for the Protection of Child Rights paid a visit to the institute and asked the Collector to conduct an inquiry, according to the complaint. The collector organized a committee based on this, and they visited the organization on December 10th and presented a report to the collector. They stated things like how the children were encouraged to convert to a different religion, how they were married to people of different faiths, and how there were no investigative reports of children caught during child labor raids. They filed a police report as a result, and the situation is still getting investigated.” S.B. Kupavat, ACP F Division, stated.
Written by:
Shristi Chatterjee
