Beed, October 15, 2025 (Special Representative): Serious allegations of pressure on prisoners to convert to Islam in Beed District Jail in Maharashtra had created a stir across the state. Jail Superintendent Petrus Gaikwad, a central figure in the case, has finally been transferred to a prison in Nagpur. The administration has taken this urgent action after the report of a thorough investigation conducted by the vigilance teams of Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was submitted. However, some organizations and social activists have strongly demanded that the transfer alone is not enough and that Gaikwad be suspended outright. This case has once again highlighted the issues of malpractice and religious sensitivity in the prison administration.
When this case started, BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and some prisoners who were out on bail made direct allegations against Gaikwad. According to him, prisoners in Beed jail were constantly pressured to convert to Christianity. Prisoners who refused were tortured, while religious programs like bhajans and aartis were stopped. In addition, photos of great men were removed from the walls of the jail and verses from the Bible were put up in their place. All these were seen as an attack on the religious freedom of the prisoners and strong protests were expressed from various political and social circles in the state. When photos and videos of this case went viral on social media, the agitation was sparked and the case took on a political color.
Gopichand Padalkar had also raised this issue in the Legislative Assembly. According to him, "Prison should be a center of reform, but if incidents of religious pressure and torture are happening here, it is very unfortunate. The human rights of the prisoners are being violated and the administration should take immediate action." Prisoners who were released on bail also shared their experiences while talking to the media. One prisoner said, "I was constantly threatened to convert. When I refused, I was given extra work and was discriminated against in food. All this was difficult to bear." These complaints led to protests outside Beed jail and local organisations staged a sit-in protest in front of the jail. Gaikwad had several charges against him before this. He has a murder case registered against him in Jalgaon, which is still pending in court. During his time in Beed jail, he was accused of felling trees without a permit and forcing prisoners to wash private vehicles. Evidence of all these irregularities was released on social media, which further angered public opinion. The vigilance teams investigated all these aspects in depth. The Pune team heard the jail records, prisoners' complaints and witnesses in person, while the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar team focused on the aspect of religious pressure. During the interrogation, more than 20 prisoners confirmed the allegations in their statements. The report mentions several lapses and irregularities in Gaikwad's administration, due to which the administration decided to transfer him.
The Home Ministry has played a key role in deciding this transfer. A senior official said, "The inquiry report is serious. This action was necessary to protect discipline and morality in Beed Jail. Gaikwad will be given new responsibilities in Nagpur Jail, but further action will be decided on the basis of the inquiry." However, some organizations have expressed displeasure while taking this decision. In a statement issued by the Hindu Ekta Sanghatana, it said, "The transfer is just an attempt to throw dust under the eyes. Gaikwad has many crimes including murder, so suspension and criminal action are necessary." BJP leader Padalkar also reacted on Twitter (now on X), saying, "Action has been taken, but it is incomplete. A judicial inquiry should be held into the entire matter."
This case is not limited to Beed, but has raised the issue of religious sensitivities and prisoners' rights in other prisons in Maharashtra as well. According to experts, there is a need for transparency and training in the prison administration. A human rights organization has also expressed the possibility of filing a petition in the High Court regarding this matter. Currently, the process of appointing a new superintendent is underway in Beed Jail, which has brought relief to the prisoners. However, the serious aspects revealed in this case have raised questions on the state government.
This incident has once again emphasized the importance of religious tolerance. Many intellectuals who believe that prisons should be centers of reform in society have organized articles and seminars on this matter. They say that strict rules and supervision are needed to prevent such incidents in the future. It is interesting to see whether this controversial case in Beed Jail will now go to the court or will the administration take action. It is being said that this case will be a milestone in improving prison management in the state.