Jesuit Deacon’s Ordination Postponed in Chhattisgarh Amid Controversy Over Religious Conversion

Dhanwar, Chhattisgarh, October 17, 2026: The priestly ordination of Jesuit Deacon Basil Hadde at Dhanwar Parish in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur district was postponed following the intervention of local administrative officials, who reportedly questioned the legality of his conversion to Christianity.

The incident has raised concerns over religious freedom and the right of individuals to profess and practise a religion of their choice.

Deacon Hadde, a member of the Kodaku tribal community, was scheduled to be ordained on October 14. He is reportedly the first person from his community to enter the clergy or a religious congregation. The ordination had drawn considerable interest among local residents, including Christians and non-Christians.

According to Church sources, police personnel and administrative officials, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Balrampur, arrived at Dhanwar Parish on October 13, about an hour after the deacon’s arrival. They met the Jesuit superior, the parish priest and Deacon Hadde, and asked him to produce documents establishing his Christian identity.

The deacon presented his baptismal certificate. However, the officials reportedly declined to accept it and sought permission from the relevant civil authorities for his baptism and conversion.

Deacon Hadde reportedly told the officials that he had embraced Christianity along with his parents in 1995, before Chhattisgarh introduced its anti-conversion law. He maintained that his conversion did not require prior permission from civil authorities at the time.

The officials reportedly said they had received a complaint from two individuals, identified as Patras and Umesh, seeking to prevent the ordination. They expressed concern that the ceremony could encourage further conversions among members of the Kodaku tribal community.

The administration reportedly directed the parish to cancel or postpone the ceremony until documentary evidence establishing the legality of the deacon’s conversion was produced. Officials also warned that they would not be responsible if an untoward incident occurred despite their warning.

The postponement disappointed the deacon’s family and villagers, who had spent months preparing for the ceremony. According to Church sources, Christian and non-Christian residents expressed anger and initially considered staging a protest at the district headquarters. Jesuit authorities and the parish council, however, urged them to remain calm and agreed to postpone the ordination temporarily.

The Jesuit authorities have decided to pursue legal remedies to establish the legality of Deacon Hadde’s conversion. They remain committed to holding his ordination at Dhanwar Parish, his home parish.

Deacon Hadde has since been moved to another location for security reasons as preparations for the legal proceedings continue. He remains determined to be ordained at his home parish.

Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees all persons the freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, health and the other provisions of Part III. The circumstances surrounding the postponement have brought renewed attention to the balance between the enforcement of state laws and the constitutional protection of religious freedom.

By Catholic Connect Reporter