Jehovah's Witnesses Brainwashes Deaf Hindu Girl to Conversion
A Deaf girl from Kota, Rajasthan, was allegedly targeted for conversion by Jehovah’s Witnesses, who exploited her disability with false promises of healing in her next life.
In a troubling incident from Kota, Rajasthan, a 23-year-old Deaf Hindu girl named Surabhi Mehta has allegedly been targeted by a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses for conversion. The girl’s parents have accused the religious group of exploiting their daughter’s disability, using promises of a better life in her next birth if she converted to their faith.
Surabhi, who lives with her parents in Kota, is said to have made contact with the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Jaipur, where she was allegedly influenced through online classes and sign language. The group reportedly told her that by converting, she would be born hearing and speaking in her next life. The family believes that such groups often target people with disabilities, as they may be more vulnerable to conversion tactics.
On November 19, 2024, Surabhi left Kota for Indore without informing her family. When her parents realized she was missing, they reported her disappearance to the police. However, it was later discovered that Surabhi had traveled to Indore to attend a conference organized by the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The police launched an investigation, which led to Surabhi being found on the Indore-Delhi Express at Bhilwara station. Along with Surabhi, two other girls were also rescued from the train. After questioning, the police released the other two girls.
According to Surabhi’s parents, the Jehovah’s Witnesses group had plans to take their daughter to Delhi for further conversion efforts. Despite her parents’ concerns, Surabhi reportedly remains under the influence of the group and continues to refuse visits to temples while staying in contact with the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Bajrang Dal leader Yogesh Renewal spoke out, saying that the group had targeted Surabhi through a friend and used online classes and sign language to lure her in. He further claimed that they exploited Surabhi’s disability by offering false promises of healing in the next life and pressuring her to convert.
The rise in religious conversions, especially in states like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, has been a cause of concern. Authorities have raised alarms about the growing trend of forced and fraudulent conversions under the guise of offering miraculous cures, financial aid, and material benefits to vulnerable individuals.
While local police are working to arrest those involved in such activities, questions remain about the long-term impact of these conversions on vulnerable communities, especially those with disabilities.
This case serves as a reminder of the need to protect the rights and well-being of individuals, particularly those with disabilities, who may be more easily targeted by groups seeking to exploit their vulnerabilities.
