District Authorities Yet to Verify Over 1,500 Conversion Applications in Dhamtari

A claim by the Christian Forum that more than 1,500 residents have filed voluntary conversion or prayer‑attendance applications in Dhamtari remains unconfirmed by officials. Collector‑level officer T.R. Dhruv noted that there is no dedicated register for these requests, while the Forum’s general secretary, Dr. Diamond Phillips, insisted the numbers are accurate. Phillips also mentioned that about 300 people have approached the administration for conversion in the past eighteen months, but their cases are still pending. On September 21, a small group of five to seven individuals visited the collector’s office to submit formal conversion forms, yet the staff could not confirm receipt. District Panchayat CEO Jayant Nahata said he has not seen any applications and that a thorough review will be conducted once the documents are presented.