American national accused of religious conversion assaulted; FIR registered

Chennai Police on Friday registered an FIR against Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNJT) members for illegal confinement and assault of an American national  Butler William Keith. The victim had filed a case after he was bundled into a room and assaulted by the TNJT members accusing him of luring Muslims toward Christianity. It has also been accused that Keith even used derogatory remarks against Muslims and the religion of Islam.

Based on Keith's complaint, an FIR has been lodged against Abdul Hassan and other unnamed persons on charges of wrongful confinement and assaulting a person with weapons. 

Meanwhile, condemning the FIR, TNTJ's Kancheepuram unit head A Syed Ibrahim claimed that Keith targetted the economically underprivileged families in the Pallavaram area. A complained was also filed by one U Aamir Khan who was accused of forceful conversion and insulting the religious beliefs. A police officer, speaking to the New Indian Express said, "We have recorded the complaint in the community service register."

While police investigations prove the allegations, Keith is not said to have been representing any organisation and has been working on the conversions individually. The US Consulate in Chennai refused to comment, citing the privacy considerations of American citizens. 

• tamil nadu
• south
• usa
• national
• conversion
• islam
• christianity