In Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, 150 individuals who had converted to Christianity have now reverted to Sanatan Dharma. They performed ghar wapsi using Vedic rites in a ceremony on November 10. A few days prior, Pastor Bijju Mathew had enticed them to become Christians. These people used to regularly attend prayer gatherings and were from 30 families in the village of Golabad. During police interrogation, Mathew, who is originally from Kerala, admitted that he had converted roughly 300 families and that he had tricked people by offering them money, marriage, education, and medical care.
He accompanied his group members to neighbouring villages and went to the homes of the underprivileged. After that, he invited them to attend the prayer gatherings and tempted them with other kinds of things. By offering them money, treatment for their ailment, and the assurance that the church would cover wedding expenses, Mathew and his wife brainwashed the victims into converting. They then told those who had fallen into their web to bring more people. Similar to network marketing, this was executed. Mathew was arrested and is still in jail after being brought into custody on October 20.
This largely Jatav community has seen rapid conversions over the past 8-9 years, mostly through dubious "medical healing" promises when healthcare costs became overwhelming
As missionaries face global backlash, they prey on the vulnerable in India
— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) November 11, 2024
The incident happened at the Kankarkheda police station area of Meerut, in the Vikas Enclave Colony on Rohta Road. For the past two and a half months, Mathew and his family have been residing in this colony. Every Sunday, he would host prayer services at his house, drawing big crowds of people. This raised suspicions among the locals, who notified the police and Hindu organisations about it. On October 20, when Mathew was heard saying, “Love the one who loves you. Today is Karva Chauth, but your family does not love you, God does, so take refuge in God. You have to worship Jesus. What is money? You will get whatever you want. What have your gods been able to give you to date?”
He was inciting the individuals who primarily belonged to the Jatav community and alleged, “You do not even get respect in the society. Come to Jesus. You will get everything here.” Hindu organisations accused Mathew and his wife of renting homes in various parts of Meerut for the past 15 years and using those homes to hold prayer meetings and convert people to Christianity.
Mathew offered three temptations for conversion to Christianity. Mathew presented three reasons for becoming a Christian. First, the expense of marriages will be covered by church members. Second, he pledged to provide assistance of between Rs 2 and Rs 5 lakh to the individual or family that converts to Christianity in order to launch their own company. Third, he promised to treat illnesses using exorcism and holy water. According to one such converted woman, “We were instructed to teach and share everything we learn with two additional people.” We must explain God’s grace and miracles to them. When someone’s religion changed, they would prepare another one for the same, which is how the conversion racket—which was centred on women and the poor—was created.
