Visuals from the event where Hindus were reading Bible (Photo: X)
On December 8, 2024, police in the Partapur area of Meerut district exposed a mass religious conversion operation. Over fifty Hindus were rescued from a prayer meeting organised under the banner of “Masihi Prarthana Sabha” in Shankar Colony. The accused, including Vineet Pastor and his associates, have been booked under the stringent Uttar Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act.
Conversion Racket Unearthed
The prayer meeting, allegedly a front for mass conversions, was disrupted following a complaint from local Hindu activists. According to the First Information Report (FIR No. 462/24) registered at Partapur Police Station, the primary accused, Vineet Pastor, had been conducting such gatherings across multiple cities, enticing Hindus to convert to Christianity with promises of miraculous cures, financial incentives, and other lures.
The Raid and Findings
Hindu activist Sarvesh Upadhyay, a resident of Tej Vihar, Rohta Road, informed the police about the gathering. He and his team reached the spot to verify the claims and discovered a makeshift church within a rented house. Inside, they found over 50 Hindus holding Bibles, walls adorned with Christian symbols, and attending a Bible reading session led by Vineet Pastor.
The premises displayed banners reading “Christ Prayer House,” along with other Christian paraphernalia. The police, upon arrival, seized documents and items indicative of an organised conversion racket.
Accused and Modus Operandi
The complaint stated that Vineet Pastor, a convert from the Valmiki community, was spearheading the operation. Converted over a decade ago along with his family, Vineet had since been propagating Christianity among his community members. He reportedly promised miraculous cures for incurable diseases, financial assistance, and marriage alliances for converts.
The FIR also names other accused, including Johnny Pastor, Payal, Sangeeta, and Geeta, who were allegedly part of a larger syndicate facilitating conversions. Vineet’s operation involved setting up temporary churches in rented houses, often changing locations to avoid detection.
Locals Speak Out
Residents of Shankar Colony revealed that such Sunday gatherings had been a recurring event for years, despite repeated complaints to authorities. Locals claimed they were grudgingly tolerating these activities as their concerns were often ignored. One resident noted, “They lure people with false promises and target the vulnerable. Many have abandoned Sanatana beliefs and symbols entirely, adopting a new faith under pressure and allurements.”
It is estimated that over 500 individuals, primarily from the Valmiki community, have been converted through such gatherings in recent years. Converts reportedly make frequent trips to Jalandhar, Punjab, for further indoctrination and instructions, travelling in groups by minibuses or trains.
Legal Action Taken
Based on the complaint, police have booked Vineet Pastor and his associates under Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act. These sections address illegal religious conversions through coercion, allurement, or fraudulent means.
Anti-Conversion Law
The Uttar Pradesh government first enacted its anti-forced conversion law in 2021 and made it more stringent in August 2024. The amendments expanded the law’s scope, allowing activists and organisations to file complaints on behalf of victims. Convicts now face a minimum jail term of five years, extendable to ten years, along with a fine of Rs 50,000, up from the previous fine of Rs 15,000.
Promises of Miracles and Marriages
The accused allegedly convinced participants that worshipping Yeshu Masi would cure ailments and secure them a better life. Converts were also promised marriage alliances with families of fellow Christians and instructed to recruit at least 2-3 new families to become regular attendees.
Authorities are now investigating the full extent of the conversion network, which appears to have been operational for over a decade. They are also looking into the accused’s connections with other regions and similar cases reported elsewhere.
Similar Case Reported Last Month
In yet another case of illegal religious conversions, a racket was unearthed last month in the colony of Vikas Enclave, located on Rohta Road in Meerut. The incident, highlighted by senior journalist Swati Goel Sharma, has shed light on the systematic exploitation of vulnerable communities through promises of miraculous healing and financial assistance.
Suspicious Gatherings Raise Alarm
Vikas Enclave, home to several retired police and army personnel, had been witnessing unusual Sunday gatherings for three months at a three-story house on the colony’s corner. Every Sunday morning, around 30-40 people would gather at the first-floor residence, staying for about two hours. The house owner reportedly told neighbours that these were regular satsangs (religious meetings).
On October 20, acting on a tip-off, local police and activists disrupted one such meeting. They found around 30 women gathered around Pastor Biju Mathew and his wife, participating in a Bible reading session. The attendees were being introduced to “miracle water,” which, they were told, could heal illnesses. The pastor also promised that a church in Sardhana would cover their children’s wedding expenses if they regularly attended these meetings.
Arrests and FIR Details
Pastor Biju Mathew, a Kerala native, was taken into custody during the raid. A week later, he was formally charged under the Uttar Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (FIR No. 646/2024, Kankarkheda Police Station). The complaint was filed by Hindu activist Sarvesh Upadhyay, who had initially raised the alarm about the activities.
According to the FIR accessed by Organiser, Sarvesh stated:
“A large number of Hindu women were being called to House No. 189 in Vikas Enclave, owned by Prince Kumar. Around 25-30 women were found sitting on the floor, listening to Pastor Biju Mathew, who was persuading them to adopt Christianity. He claimed that their illnesses and problems would be cured if they converted. Upon investigation, we learned that Pastor Biju had already converted 300 families. Children from these families revealed that after prayers, the pastor assured them that their sorrows would vanish if they embraced Christianity. Some even received money in envelopes after the sessions.”
The House Owner’s Connection
The house in question belongs to KP Singh, a retired army officer, who had reportedly been “driven out” by his daughter-in-law. Residents alleged that the daughter-in-law had converted to Christianity and facilitated the gatherings. She is believed to have become acquainted with Christian groups while attending a nursing institute, later allowing Pastor Biju to use the house for Sunday meetings in exchange for rent.
Residents speculated that she financially benefited from these gatherings. One neighbor remarked anonymously, “Why else would a landlord allow such large gatherings if not for financial gain?”
Disturbing Observations from Residents
Brij Bir Singh Pawar, a neighbour who lives across from the house, told Swati:
“The attendees were mostly from poor backgrounds, wearing simple clothes and carrying thin plastic bags. Their financial struggles were evident. Unlike traditional satsangs, there was no bhajan or music. Instead, loud films with war scenes were played, creating an eerie atmosphere.”
While Pawar openly shared these observations, other residents hesitated to intervene, citing that it was a private matter. One resident commented, “We aren’t goons to barge into someone’s house.”
Ghar Wapasi Efforts
Following the raid, Swati Goel Sharma’s social service organisation, Agni Samaj, played a pivotal role in helping many Hindus return to the Sanatan fold. On November 11, over 200 individuals who had been lured into conversion were brought back to their original faith.
Swati shared on X (formerly Twitter):
“This largely Jatav community has experienced rapid conversions over the past 8-9 years, driven by dubious ‘medical healing’ promises when healthcare costs became overwhelming. Nuns approached families battling illnesses, convincing them to attend prarthana sabhas. Sundays soon became dedicated prayer days for these families.”
Systematic Exploitation
Pastor Biju Mathew had been living on rent in various houses in the area for years, conducting similar activities. The sick were often referred to missionary-run nursing homes and hospitals, where any recovery was attributed to the pastor’s prayers.
This incident underscores the growing need for vigilance against illegal conversion activities in Uttar Pradesh. Authorities are continuing their investigation into Pastor Biju’s network and its operations, while local residents call for stricter enforcement of anti-conversion laws.
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