A press conference organised by members of the HOWL Group at the Indore Press Club on Thursday morning was disrupted when a group of unidentified men reportedly entered the premises, shouted allegations of religious conversions, and allegedly assaulted members of the collective. According to the group, the disruption turned aggressive, with their founder, Sourav Banerjee, and others being pushed and heckled. The group has alleged that the attackers may be affiliated with right-wing organisations, though this remains unverified.
The press conference was convened to address what the group describes as an ongoing campaign of misinformation, intimidation, and administrative targeting in Shukrawasa village, Dewas district, where the organisation has been working for the past five years.
In a press note titled “प्रेस वार्ता निमंत्रण” (Press Conference Invitation), dated July 23, the group wrote: “गरीब जनता की उन्नति देख शुक्रवासा गांव के कुछ भ्रष्ट और असामाजिक तत्व हाउल संगठन के हर सामाजिक और सांस्कृतिक आयोजनों को लगातार रोकने में लगे हुए हैं… इसके चलते वे संगठन के संस्थापक सौरव बनर्जी और अन्य सदस्यों के विरुद्ध अनर्गल अफ़वाह फैला कर छवि धूमिल और प्रताड़ित कर रहे हैं।”
(“Seeing the upliftment of poor people, some corrupt and antisocial elements in Shukrawasa village have been constantly trying to obstruct every social and cultural programme of the Howl organisation… As a result, they are spreading baseless rumours against the organisation’s founder Sourav Banerjee and other members, tarnishing their image and harassing them.”)
The note invited journalists and concerned citizens to attend the 11:30 AM press meet at Indore Press Club “ताकि सच की जीत हो सके।” (So that the truth may prevail.)
Video Surfaces of Alleged Assault by Right-Wing Activists
A video circulated shortly after the incident shows members of the NGO being physically assaulted outside the venue. While no police complaint had been received at the time of reporting, the footage appears to corroborate the group’s claims.
“We have been working in Shukrawasa village of Dewas district for the past five years in areas such as education, healthcare, employment, and legal aid. The suspicion around religious conversion is completely baseless,” Banerjee told reporters.
He alleged that the attackers, reportedly from right-wing outfits, assaulted members of the NGO without any evidence. “Let them bring even a single person whom our NGO has converted,” he said.
According to Banerjee, “corrupt and anti-social elements” in Shukrawasa have been spreading misinformation to obstruct their work and discredit the organisation.
Meanwhile, Avinash Kaushal, a local Bajrang Dal leader who was present at the scene, accused the NGO of converting “innocent Hindu villagers to Christianity” and claimed that some youth had been “brainwashed” into distancing themselves from their families.
Central Kotwali police station in-charge Ravindra Parashar confirmed that no formal complaint had been received from either side.
Police Raid on July 22: “Unconstitutional,” Say Members
Two days before the press conference, the group issued another press release titled “जरूरी सूचना” (Urgent Information), alleging that police personnel from Double Chowki (Mayank Verma), Barotha (Ajay Gujar), and an unidentified Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) conducted a raid on their Shukrawasa campus without prior notice or warrant.
“इनके द्वारा ग्रुप के सभी सदस्यों से बिना किसी सूचना या वारंट के पूछताछ और छानबीन की गई, उनके निजी दस्तावेज़ और कॉपियां बिना इजाज़त जांची गईं… बिना किसी वारंट या जुर्म बताए ग्रुप के पांच सदस्यों… को अरेस्ट कर ले गए तथा कैंपस की भी तोड़फोड़ की।”
(“They questioned all group members without any prior notice or warrant, examined their private documents and copies without permission… and arrested five members of the group without disclosing any charges or showing a warrant. They also vandalised the campus.”)
The detained individuals were identified as Pranay Tripathi (journalist), Tashiv Patel (journalism student), Brijendra Rathore (engineering student), Yuvraj Singh Chauhan (filmmaker), and Niladri Mukhopadhyay (writer-director). All five were reportedly released later the same day, but the group claims that their phones and personal belongings remain in police custody.
HOWL Group and the Parvatpura Panchayat Vikas Samiti have termed the police action “unconstitutional” and are demanding an independent investigation and the return of confiscated property. In their release, they appealed to the public to call the concerned police officials listed and demand accountability.
Earlier Tensions: Newspaper Report Sparked First Allegations
Tensions appear to have escalated in late May. On May 28, 2025, Sanjha Lokswami, a local evening newspaper, published a report accusing the HOWL Group of religious conversions, drug use, casteism, and labelled them as “suspected Naxalites.” The article reportedly lacked evidence.
According to the group, the report followed a visit on May 27 by two individuals who posed as journalists and later published the accusations. The group says it filed a complaint at Barotha Police Station, but no FIR was registered.
“They said it pertains to the freedom of the press and they cannot file an FIR unless directed by the court,” Banerjee explained. “Every time we try to seek help, whether it’s filing an FIR or approaching the collector, an inquiry is opened against us while the actual culprits go unpunished.”
Banerjee further alleged: “It’s a local evening newspaper run by a goon who just got out of jail after serving years for serious crimes. People know this.”
As of now, no official statement has been issued by Dewas police regarding either the press conference incident or the July 22 raid. The HOWL Group has said it will continue to pursue legal remedies and is appealing to civil society groups for support.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
