Three houses in the upmarket Bharwara Estate Colony, Gomti Nagar Extension, in Lucknow, quietly transformed into an unofficial church, gathering hundreds of Hindus for religious activities every Sunday. The illegal religious centre operated for seven years, unnoticed by most, until it was raided on February 9. Despite allegations of illegal conversions and a strong public outcry, authorities have yet to file an FIR, leaving many questions unanswered.
How did 3 houses in a row in an upmarket all-Hindu residential colony quietly turned into a religious centre, gathering hundreds of Hindus every Sunday for conversion, without anyone raising voice for 7 years?
I visited the colony in Lucknow today to find out. A thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/Tv8SODMc4u
— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) March 2, 2025
The Raid on 9 February
On February 9, 2025, Hindu activists, prompted by a tip-off from a concerned resident, arrived at the site and uncovered an unofficial ‘church’ operating inside three homes in the upscale residential colony. A Yeshu Prarthana Sabha, with over 200 Hindus in attendance, was underway when the raid took place. Police were called, and videos and photos of the protest circulated quickly.
In these videos, one can see children exiting the building after the raid, showing the scale of the congregation, which had grown over the years. Despite its location in an all-Hindu colony, the ‘church’ had been functioning quietly, catering to hundreds of Hindus, largely without raising suspicions until now.
A Stealthy Religious Conversion Hub
Ritesh Mishra, a resident of the colony, had been one of the first to file a police complaint after discovering the extent of religious activities occurring in the houses. He revealed how the conversion centre began as a small gathering of just 6-10 people. Gradually, attendance rose to 100-200 people, turning the houses into a hub for religious conversion activities.
Upon further investigation, Ritesh found that the houses were being used as a church and that unapproved religious activities were taking place in a residential area. When the residents of the colony raised objections, they were met with hostility. The doors were locked, and the dispute escalated to the point where police were called to break the lock and investigate the premises.
The Role of Rajeev Lal
Rajeev Lal, who had moved into the colony seven years ago, was identified as the key figure behind the transformation of the homes into a religious centre. Described as a man who “rapidly grew rich,” Rajeev Lal purchased several properties in the area and covertly converted three houses into a church without any formal approval. According to reports, his plan appeared to be focused on driving out Hindu families and turning the colony into a centre for religious conversions.
A year before the raid, local resident Yogesh had confronted Rajeev Lal over derogatory comments made about Hindu deities during one of the gatherings. This confrontation led to a complete shutdown of communication between Rajeev and the residents. The doors of the property were locked, and entry was restricted to only those who had a reference or prior registration. Residents also raised concerns about the religious teachings at these gatherings, with some hearing that the teachings blasphemed Hindu gods, leading to even further tension.
Seeking Benefit or Conversion?
A person named Sahaj Ram Yadav, who resides just outside the colony, admitted to attending the religious centre once for “treatment.” When asked if he knew the religious centre was associated with a different faith, he claimed that he believed in the idea of worshipping God in different forms, mentioning figures like Allah Miyan, Bhagwan, and Yeshu. He also shared that he would consider converting if he found any benefit from attending these gatherings. Sahaj’s view raises concerns about potential manipulation and lack of awareness regarding the actual purpose of these gatherings.
Police Action and the Absence of Legal Consequences
Since the raid on February 9, there has been a continuous police presence in the colony to prevent further gatherings, particularly on Sundays. However, despite the clear indications of illegal religious activities, no FIR has been filed for alleged conversions. Police officers explained that the reason for not filing an FIR was because attendees claimed there was no “force” involved in the conversions. This has sparked debate within the community, with many questioning why no legal action has been taken, especially when the congregation operated without permission and consent from other residents.
The case of the three houses in the Bharwara Estate Colony raises serious concerns about unauthorised religious activities, the growing trend of covert conversions, and the enforcement of law in residential areas. Despite the allegations and protests, the authorities have yet to take any meaningful legal action.
(The story is based on twitter thread by- Swati Goel Sharma)
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