In a concerning trend, yet another case of mass religious conversions to Christianity has emerged, this time in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, where local authorities have arrested a man for reportedly luring individuals, including minors and Hindu men and women, into Christianity. This incident adds to a recent string of similar cases, sparking concerns across the state as authorities report hundreds of conversions in each instance.
Critics argue that while arrests are made, there remains uncertainty about whether those who converted will return to Hinduism or continue dual religious practices, officially listed as Hindu while privately practising Christianity.
Case 1: Raebareli Case
The arrest was made after a tip-off received at Gurubakshganj Police Station, where officers were informed that a man was actively persuading innocent women, minors, and men in Bardar village to adopt Christianity. According to the police, the accused, identified as Rajesh Kumar alias David, son of Ishwar Din from Sagauli, Maurawan in Unnao district, lured people by claiming miraculous healings and spiritual cures for chronic illnesses.
Responding, local authorities investigated and found the allegations credible. Rajesh alias David was detained, and a case was registered against him under (FIR No. 540/2024), invoking Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2024, which strictly prohibits forced or fraudulent conversions. Raebareli police have confirmed that additional individuals appear to be involved, and the investigation is ongoing to identify other actors and take appropriate legal action.
Case 2: Meerut Case
A major Christian conversion racket has been exposed in Meerut’s Vikas Nagar Colony, where local police exposed a gathering of over 40 women and children in a rented house reportedly used for religious conversion activities. The raid took place on October 20, following complaints from local residents who suspected illegal conversions under the guise of prayer meetings. The house, rented by a pastor named Bijju from Kerala, had become a hub of weekly gatherings attracting large numbers of non-Christian residents, sparking concerns among the community.
Bijju, who moved into the Vikas Enclave Colony in the Kankerkheda police station area two months ago, reportedly held prayer sessions every Sunday. Witnesses reported that these gatherings followed a network-marketing-like structure aimed at trapping non-Christians to convert. Promises of financial assistance for marriages, startup capital for businesses, and miraculous cures for illnesses were offered in exchange for converting to Christianity.
Community suspicions intensified as attendance grew at the weekly gatherings. During the raid, police, along with local Hindu activists, discovered attendees seated on the floor while Bijju and his wife preached. According to eyewitnesses, Bijju’s sermons included remarks disparaging Hindu practices. Allegedly, he said, “Love the one who loves you. Today is Karva Chauth, but your family doesn’t love you—God does. So take refuge in Him.” He reportedly urged them to worship Jesus, promising material gains and respect, and asking, “What have your gods given you to date?” The provocative statements alarmed locals, leading to further complaints.
Among those present during the raid was local BJP councillor Rishipal Singh. Police took Bijju, his wife, and another associate into custody following a formal complaint. BJP leader Anmol, who participated in the investigation, claimed that Bijju’s activities had already led to around 300 conversions in Meerut. Authorities reported that the conversion scheme resembled a network marketing model, where each new convert was encouraged to bring in two additional people. In exchange, promises were made to cover marriage expenses, provide Rs 2 to 5 lakhs for business ventures, and offer “holy water” or exorcisms to cure diseases.
Case 3: Azamgarh Case
Meanwhile, a separate mass conversion event in Miria Redha village of Kandharapur, Azamgarh, was disrupted by local authorities on October 20. Acting on a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) District Vice President Harivansh Mishra, police led by Kandharapur Station House Officer (SHO) Rudrbhan Pandey conducted a raid, seizing religious books and materials believed to be used for conversion.
The accused organiser, Rajaram Yadav, was detained for coercing Hindus into replacing religious symbols with Christian ones. Mishra, who filed the complaint, described the event as a direct attack on Hindu faith, noting that “Yadav had been forcing individuals to replace images of Hindu deities with Christian symbols.” Mishra called the village a hotspot for conversion activities and accused Yadav of using manipulative tactics to lure individuals into Christianity.
Following the raid, an FIR (No: 300/24) was registered at Kandharapur Police Station under sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act. Legal proceedings are underway, with further investigations into the suspected conversion network in Azamgarh.
All tactics in play
Missionary conversion efforts, commonly referred to as “soft conversions,” have long been a prominent in India’s religious landscape. Tracing back to the colonial era, when Christian missionaries actively targeted Southern India in the 18th century, to Mother Teresa’s humanitarian efforts in the 20th century, the strategies employed have evolved but remain a source of significant debate and concern. Methods such as the “rice bag tactic”—providing aid or resources as incentives for conversion—are widely documented, alongside a range of other approaches aimed at influencing vulnerable communities toward adopting Christianity.
Among the most frequently used tactics are:
1. Distribution of Texts and Pamphlets: Missionaries commonly distribute religious literature designed to inform, persuade, and create curiosity about Christianity. These materials often highlight Biblical teachings, portraying Christianity as a path to salvation.
2. Concepts of Heaven and Hell: Many missionaries emphasise the duality of heaven and hell, often framing Christianity as the only way to achieve eternal salvation, appealing to those facing personal or social difficulties.
3. Missionary Services in Healthcare and Education: Since the colonial era, missionary efforts have included free or subsidised healthcare and education in underserved regions, a strategy that has had a far-reaching impact, especially in tribal and rural areas.
4. Prayer Meetings in Tribal and Remote Areas: Regular gatherings in tribal belts are organised where individuals are introduced to Christian teachings, sometimes highlighting supposed similarities between Hinduism and Christianity to make the transition appear less drastic.
5. Promises of Miracles and Divine Healing: Healing sessions are often conducted with promises of curing diseases, overcoming financial hardships, or receiving divine blessings, an approach that has gained traction among communities with limited access to healthcare and economic resources.
6. Enticement Through Economic Incentives: Material aid is frequently offered as an incentive, sometimes described as a form of charity, to encourage converts among economically vulnerable groups.
These tactics continue to fuel debates surrounding the ethical implications of missionary conversions, with many arguing that those who convert should lose entitlement to benefits reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Critics claim that these benefits, which were originally intended to support marginaliaed communities within Hinduism, are being appropriated by those who have embraced a different faith. This has led to calls for a formal delisting of converts from these categories.
The issue of “Ghar Wapsi,” or returning to Hinduism, is also at the forefront of discussions, with some advocating for outreach programs to support reconversion among those who joined Christianity under financial or social pressures.
