There has been a sudden spurt in the exposure of missionary conversion activities across Bharat. Much like the systematic Islamic proselytisation that was reported earlier, Christian missionary networks in Uttar Pradesh have intensified their outreach in recent years. A large portion of the state is now dotted with Changai Sabhas (healing assemblies), makeshift churches, and outreach programmes led by crypto-converts.
Operating in the name of treatment, better lives, good jobs, and even marriages, these groups are targeting vulnerable sections of society. With a stringent anti-conversion law in place, several accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act.
Lucknow: Crypto-convert arrested for converting 50+ Hindus
The first major case surfaced in Lucknow, where a crypto-convert named Mathew (formerly Malkhan) was arrested for converting over 50 Hindus to Christianity.
Mathew, who himself converted nearly a decade ago, promised miraculous cures to lure people. He conducted healing assemblies (Changai Sabhas) where he sprinkled “Pavitra Jal” on attendees, read passages from the Bible, and even played projector videos of churches and missionary speeches to brainwash villagers.
A local Hindu activist, Dharmendra Sharma, lodged a complaint leading to FIR Number 186/2025 at Nigoha Police Station on September 28.
Sharma stated in his complaint: “The accused, Malkhan, is a resident of Bakhtaurikheda Mehndauli village. About 10 years ago, he converted to Christianity and changed his name to Matthew. Thereafter, he built a room on his farmland where he held healing assemblies twice a month, luring less-educated Scheduled Caste individuals, women, children, and men with promises of medical treatment and financial aid. Malkhan claimed to cure ailments like arthritis, epilepsy, respiratory issues, and other serious diseases. During these assemblies, he read the Bible, sprinkled holy water, and showed videos on a projector to brainwash attendees. He also spoke against Hindu deities and encouraged people to convert to Christianity. He had changed the names of his children and relatives as well.”
Acting on the complaint, a team under ACP Mohanlalganj Rajneesh Verma, supervised by DCP South Nipun Agarwal, arrested Mathew on Hulas Kheda Road. The police recovered two Bibles and promotional materials from his house. He has since been sent to jail and booked under sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act.
According to the police press note, authorities are now investigating his funding sources and examining the bank accounts of him and his family. The police team involved in the arrest was rewarded with Rs 25,000. Hindu organisations had earlier staged protests against such activities in the area.
The press note further revealed that Malkhan was actively involved in conducting baptisms, targeting members of the Scheduled Caste community, including children.
Gorakhpur: Changai Sabha at woman’s house sparks protest
A similar case was reported in Gorakhpur, where on September 28, a conversion racket was busted in the Sahjanwa area. A “Changai Sabha” was organised at the house of a woman named Lakshmi Yadav, which was attended by over 100 villagers, mostly rural women and men.
Upon receiving information, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) district vice-president Saurabh Jaiswal and other activists reached Bhagaura village and staged a protest. A dispute broke out with women present at the site, forcing police intervention.
Lakshmi Yadav and three others were detained for questioning. An FIR (No. 509/2025) was lodged at Sahjanwa Police Station against Lakshmi and five unidentified individuals under sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act and 351(2) of the BNS.
In the FIR accessed by Organiser, complainant Saurabh Jaiswal alleged: “Lakshmi Yadav along with 3-4 unidentified people was converting over 100 Hindus to Christianity on false promises of healing them from ailments.”
Lakshmi, whose husband had abandoned her, told the police that she turned to faith after suffering from kidney stones five years ago. “Someone in Bahraich gave me a religious book and advised daily prayers,” she reportedly said.
Since then, she began inviting villagers to Sunday prayer gatherings under the guise of medical treatment.
The VHP has alleged that over 100 Hindus have already been converted through her activities. During the protest, VHP workers claimed they faced verbal abuse and death threats.
SO Mahesh Chaube confirmed: “An FIR has been filed, and the case is being thoroughly investigated. Four individuals are in custody for questioning.”
Larger trend of rising cases
These are not isolated incidents. Similar cases of religious conversions under the guise of healing and welfare are being reported across Uttar Pradesh on an almost daily basis. With the anti-conversion law actively being invoked, many await to see if the trials will lead to strong convictions and deterrent punishments for these frauds.
Beyond the fraudulent healing claims, these incidents reopen the recurring debate on reservation misuse by Dalits who have been converted to Christianity. Many from Dalit and tribal communities convert to Christianity, yet continue to claim benefits reserved for Hindus.
While the issue of tribal conversions remains a separate discussion, there are increasing calls for the suspension of caste certificates of Dalits who have converted. Many argue that the benefits should reach the “actual needy” and not those who, as they put it, “sold their souls for mere rice bags.”
