No Proof of Conversion, Police Clarify in Gwalior Seminary Inquiry

Gwalior, November 6, 2025: In a significant development for the Church, the police investigation into the allegations of religious conversion against St. Joseph Seminary in Gwalior has officially confirmed that there was no misconduct. The inquiry, which had stirred public attention, found no evidence to support the claims that 26 children from tribal regions of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh were brought for conversion activities.

Speaking to Catholic Connect, the Media Secretary of the Diocese said that the situation has now improved as both the police and government officials have recognised the authenticity of the Church’s documentation. “They have thoroughly checked every record—the students’ Aadhaar cards, affidavits, and even their parents’ marriage and identification documents. It is now clear that both the children and their parents are Catholics and that there was no coercion involved,” he said.

Following a detailed inquiry, the Superintendent of Police, during an interview with the press, confirmed that all students enrolled at St. Joseph Seminary are Catholic by birth and have been practising the faith for many years. Authorities verified documents including Aadhaar cards, affidavits from parents, and other supporting records, which established that the students were sent voluntarily by their families for education and formation.

“They are educating children here. There is some religious education related to Christianity that students learn, including stories, but it's not solely religious teaching,” stated an investigating officer. “Some have become engineers, others have gone into different fields,” officials noted, emphasising that priesthood is presented as an optional career choice, not a requirement.

During the investigation with the students, officials also found that they maintain regular contact with their families, have access to mobile phones and communication facilities, and that there was no evidence of students being brought or retained by force. It was also noted that the students are free to speak with their family members at any time.

Fr. Harshal A. X., Rector of St. Joseph Seminary, Gwalior, issued a written statement strongly refuting the Dainik Bhaskar report dated November 5, 2025, describing it as false and misleading, and stating that it has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Christians. He clarified that the article misrepresented the seminary and reflected a lack of understanding of Catholic traditions.

Fr. Harshal explained that all seminarians are baptised Catholics, admitted only after presenting their baptism certificates, and that they join the formation programme with the full consent of their parents. Alongside religious training, they also pursue academic degrees such as B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., or professional courses in general colleges, and may leave the formation at any time before ordination after 12 years of study. He emphasised that the seminary functions fully in accordance with the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to study and practise their faith, and condemned the publication for spreading misinformation aimed at tarnishing the image of the institution and the Church. He further invited journalists to visit the seminary and verify the facts themselves.

The Diocese expressed confidence in the investigation so far, reiterating that St. Joseph Seminary has faithfully served the local Church for over two decades. It stated that the allegations were baseless and made without any evidence, reflecting misinformation and prejudice against the Church’s educational and charitable activities. The outcome of the inquiry so far stands as a reaffirmation of the institution’s transparency and its longstanding commitment to education and community service in the region.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

Image credit: Image from a video recorded at the press interview