On March 3, Harish Singh was booked by the Ikona Police in Shravasti district, Uttar Pradesh, under Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. He was accused of forcibly converting Hindus under the pretence of conducting prayer meetings. According to media reports, a prayer meeting held on March 2 targeted socially and economically vulnerable individuals with the aim of converting them to Christianity.
ब्रेकिंग न्यूज
श्रावस्ती जिले में धर्मांतरण की पाठशाला!
उत्तर प्रदेश के श्रावस्ती जनपद के इकौना थाना क्षेत्र के भगवानपुर बनकट गांव में हर रविवार को प्रार्थना सभा आयोजित हो रही है, जहां बड़ी संख्या में लोग शामिल हो रहे हैं।
गरीबी और बीमारी से जूझ रहे लोग इलाज और मानसिक शांति… pic.twitter.com/jZ2htLfaN8
— Aaj Ki Khabar (@AajKiKhabarNews) March 2, 2025
Hindu organisations, including Vishva Hindu Mahasangh and Vishva Hindu Parishad, alerted the police about prayer meetings being held in Bhagwanpur Bankat village. Following this, an FIR was registered against the organiser, Harish Singh. The police have initiated an investigation into the matter, and Singh is currently absconding.
Residents of Bhagwanpur Bankat village reported that every Sunday, people gathered in a makeshift hut in a secluded area to attend Christian prayer meetings. Individuals from neighbouring districts, including Balrampur, Bahraich, and Gonda, would also join these sessions.
The villagers informed the police that most attendees were from non-Christian backgrounds. They were encouraged to bring a Bible and take part in the prayers. The meetings, which began in the morning, often continued into the evening as more people arrived. Some participants stated that attending the prayer sessions had helped them overcome physical and mental ailments. Many admitted to purchasing a Bible online to read at home.
श्रावस्ती
⏩श्रावस्ती में प्रार्थना सभा की आड़ में चल रही थी धर्मांतरण की पाठशाला
⏩हिन्दू युवा वाहिनी के जिलाध्यक्ष कन्हैया कसौधन ने की प्रार्थना सभा संचालक को गिरफ्तारी की मांग
⏩खबर सामने आते ही प्रशासन व एजेंसियां हरकत में आईं, जांच शुरू
⏩प्रार्थना सभा संचालक मौके से… pic.twitter.com/ozLm7l56SE
— हिन्दी ख़बर | Hindi Khabar 🇮🇳 (@HindiKhabar) March 3, 2025
The majority of attendees came from financially and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Hindu activists accused the organiser of making false promises, claiming that faith in Jesus Christ would provide relief from their hardships.
Content of the FIR
The FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by Sub-Inspector Afzal Salim, who visited the makeshift hut and conducted an investigation into the matter. According to the FIR, Singh convinced attendees that reading the Bible and invoking the name of Jesus Christ could miraculously cure diseases and resolve life problems.
Investigation and Findings
During the investigation, the police discovered that Singh’s house was locked. Neighbours informed authorities that Singh’s family was from Punjab, and he often travelled between Punjab and the village. The complainant noted that most attendees of these gatherings were from outside the village. Local residents reported that Singh used deceptive preaching tactics to pressure attendees into converting to Christianity.
#shravastipolice
थाना इकौना क्षेत्र अंतर्गत धर्मांतरण से संबंधित प्रकरण के संबंध
में पुलिस अधीक्षक श्री घनश्याम चौरसिया की बाइट- pic.twitter.com/5vSVbRB3HP— Shravasti Police (@shravastipolice) March 3, 2025
Superintendent of Police (SP) Ghanshyam Chaurasia confirmed that a case had been registered based on credible evidence, including video footage provided by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists. He stated, “We are investigating the allegations that Singh was using faith healing as a cover to convert people. A team, led by the Additional SP, has been formed to investigate the matter.”
The police suspect that Singh may have fled to Punjab, and a team has been dispatched to track him down. Due to Shravasti’s proximity to the Nepal border, authorities are closely monitoring the area to prevent any potential cross-border escape. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing.
The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, which was enacted in 2020, aims to prevent forced and fraudulent religious conversions. The law specifically targets conversions that are carried out through coercion, deceit, or allurement, with provisions that punish individuals and organisations found guilty of such activities. Under this act, violators can face imprisonment of up to five years, with harsher penalties for mass conversions or conversions involving minors, women, or those from scheduled castes and tribes.
