An event organised by members of the Christian community at the club house of a housing society in Surat was brought to an abrupt stop on Wednesday evening after a few residents called up the police and accused the organisers of carrying out religious conversions on the premises.
However, police verified that the organisers had sought due permission from the management of the residential society and found the allegations baseless.
The incident took place at a newly built high-rise in Pal area of Surat. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone, Rakesh Barot, along with Pal police staff reached the spot, talked to the attendees and found that they were only holding prayers. Police took statements of around 40 people.
Pal police inspector K L Gadhe said, “The event was organised by advocate Yogesh Patel, who is the resident of the same apartment complex. He had taken permission from the society management committee besides informing the police.”
He further said, “The programme started at 7.30 pm. Around this time, a few people noticed the event being organised at the club house. They complained to the society management committee but found the organisers had already taken due permission. Some of them called us and alleged that religious conversion was going on at the gathering. On checking, we found that no such thing was being carried out. ”
Event organiser Patel said, “This is for the first time we have organised a ‘Salom family’ religious gathering event at our club house. We were doing nothing illegal. We have given our statements to the personnel.”
No written complaint or FIR has been filed in the matter.
