Shocking Details in Bharatpur Conversion Racket: Funds from Italian organisation, centres in many villages, 2 arrested

A brazen attempt to convert approximately 400 individuals to Christianity in a private hotel on February 11 has been intercepted by local authorities, following a complaint from Hindu organisations and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Two evangelists, along with eight followers, were apprehended for their involvement in the illicit conversion activities, which allegedly targeted impoverished individuals by enticing them with monetary incentives.

In response to the alarming incident, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to delve into the proliferation of religious conversion cases that have surfaced in Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

Subsequent investigations have unveiled a disturbing revelation: an estimated 20,000 vulnerable residents of Bharatpur have purportedly fallen victim to the web of religious conversion orchestrated by a group of evangelists. The modus operandi reportedly began with the organisation of modest prayer gatherings, where attendees were enticed with promises of material benefits, including free rations and financial assistance. Moreover, the evangelists purportedly exploited minor health ailments and financial woes of the attendees to gain their trust.

As the conversion operation gained momentum, it transitioned from small-scale gatherings to large-scale events hosted at expansive farms, resorts, and hotels, where thousands were allegedly lured into converting to Christianity through various allurements.

Furthermore, the ongoing investigation has unearthed concerning details suggesting potential involvement in money laundering and foreign funding.

In an exclusive report, Hindi daily Bhaskar identified ‘Prophet’ Bajinder Singh as the alleged mastermind behind the conversion scheme. Singh, who operates a controversial YouTube channel, purportedly orchestrated the funneling of funds directly into recipients’ accounts. To oversee operations in Bharatpur, Singh enlisted the assistance of Ajay Singh, who relocated from his village to manage the conversion enterprise. Ajay Singh and his family were allegedly deeply entrenched in the conversion activities.

According to reports from locals, individuals were offered incentives ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for religious conversion. Former Sarpanch Tuhiram recounted his attempts to alert Ajay Singh to the illegal activities, only to be met with resistance. Ajay Singh purportedly ascended to the position of a Christian priest, with the police reportedly possessing documentation to substantiate his claim.

The revelation of such extensive conversion activities has sparked widespread concern among the local community, prompting intensified scrutiny and calls for stringent action against those responsible for preying on vulnerable individuals in pursuit of religious conversion.

VHP Demands Action

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has raised serious allegations of forced conversions occurring in the state, igniting a fervent demand for governmental intervention. Suresh Upadhyay, leader of VHP, has spearheaded the call for a complete ban on conversions, citing alarming instances of exploitation and manipulation targeting vulnerable populations.

Upadhyay’s statement underscores a disturbing trend of deceitful practices aimed at coercing individuals, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, into renouncing their faith. Highlighting a recent case in Bharatpur, Upadhyay shed light on the fraudulent conversion of economically marginalised individuals, including women and minors, under the guise of false promises and inducements.

The VHP regional minister condemned what he described as the systematic operations of missionary groups orchestrating large-scale forced conversions across the state. He decried the exploitation of the infirm and destitute, labelling such actions as both inhumane and criminal, and emphasised their contravention of the Indian Constitution.

Moreover, Upadhyay expressed grave concern over reported instances of disrespect towards Hindu deities by missionary entities, asserting that such actions inflict deep wounds upon Hindu society. He called for stringent measures to address these transgressions and urged thorough investigations into allegations, including the purported administration of steroids disguised as holy water for treatment purposes.

The issue came to a head recently in Bharatpur, where around 500 individuals were allegedly being converted within the confines of a private hotel. Prompt intervention by VHP workers halted the conversion proceedings, albeit amidst chaotic scenes and clashes between VHP activists and those facilitating the conversions. Law enforcement authorities swiftly intervened, detaining over five individuals, including key orchestrators of the conversion activities, and several women involved in the process.

The incident has sparked widespread scrutiny and calls for decisive action to curb the proliferation of forced conversions and safeguard the rights and freedoms of individuals to practise their chosen faith without coercion or duress. As investigations unfold, the demand for justice and accountability resonates strongly within Rajasthan, underscoring the urgency of addressing the underlying issues surrounding religious conversions.

Two Evangelists Arrested

police have apprehended two evangelists along with eight of their followers for allegedly enticing individuals to convert to Christianity through monetary means. The arrests were made following a tip-off received by the authorities regarding suspicious activities involving religious conversions.

The accused have been identified as Kunwar Singh Jatav, a resident of Bharatpur, and Shailendra Singh Jat from Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh. Authorities seized a significant amount of propaganda material from their possession during the arrest. Additionally, eight followers were detained under section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, subsequently released on bail pending further investigation.

According to some reports, the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) Bharatpur president, Lakhan Singh, alleged that these individuals had been engaged in conversion activities for the past two to three years. Singh highlighted a recent incident on 11 February where a large gathering of approximately 450-500 people was convened at a private hotel for what appeared to be a conversion program.

Upon receiving information about the event, VHP members intervened and confronted the organisers, alleging the use of objectionable language against Hindu deities to sway attendees. A confrontation ensued between VHP workers and the evangelists, leading to a tense situation that required police intervention.

Subsequently, a case was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), and 298 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings).

The allegations against the evangelists include luring individuals with monetary incentives ranging from Rs 200 to 500, as well as promising to cure their ailments through religious means. Authorities are also investigating the involvement of Chandigarh-based evangelist Bajinder Singh, who operates a YouTube channel propagating similar ideologies.

Pastor Bajinder link to the case 

On February 11, 2024, an alleged mass conversion event to Christianity at a hotel came to light, prompting intervention following protests from Hindu organisations. Individuals associated with Christian missionaries were detained and questioned amidst allegations that they offered monetary incentives, including Rs 500-500 to women and promises of depositing Rs 40-50 thousand into the bank accounts of those converting.

During the event, Bajinder Singh conducted live conversions from Chandigarh, with evangelists claiming miraculous abilities to revive the deceased and cure ailments like cancer. Kunwar Singh Jatav and Shailendra Singh Jat, alongside eight followers, were initially arrested, with the latter released on bail under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Lakhan Singh, president of Vishva Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) Bharatpur chapter, accused the individuals involved of engaging in conversion activities for several years.

The arrested suspects informed police that they were subordinate figures in the operation, with the primary scheme orchestrated by controversial figure ‘Prophet’ Bajinder Singh, who allegedly used live video feeds to convert individuals. They disclosed a longstanding association with Singh since 2020, during which Singh purportedly converted over 20,000 individuals in Bharatpur alone.

The mass conversion event was uncovered by lawyer Sandeep Singh, who visited the hotel ‘Sonar Haveli’ to book a marriage hall for a friend’s wedding. Observing approximately 400 attendees in the banquet hall, with 15 individuals on stage undergoing conversion rituals, he raised the alarm.

Christian conversion racket has links with an Italian organisation

The Labhana Ministry, an Italian organisation, has been implicated in the Bharatpur conversion scandal, with police recovering conversion certificates bearing the organisation’s name. Allegedly, the Labhana Ministry is funding conversion operations conducted by multiple Christian missionaries across India, aiming to bolster the Christian population through enticing incentives and allurements targeted at impoverished and vulnerable individuals. Alongside Pipla Village, conversion centres associated with this organisation are reportedly operational in Kanjoli, Gundwa, Bajhera, Noh Bahamdi, Bahnera, Rupbas, Gaghina, and Bayana in Rajasthan.