Christian missionary gangs active in Uttar Pradesh for religious conversions

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) – Large-scale efforts to convert Hindus and even Muslims to Christianity are underway in Uttar Pradesh, with multiple gangs actively involved. Reports have revealed conversion rate payouts, where brokers receive ₹20,000 for converting an entire family and an additional ₹15,000 for converting a girl and arranging her marriage. From reputed schools to prestigious institutions, several individuals are allegedly part of this missionary-led conversion scheme. With no shortage of funds, these conversion networks have expanded even to rural areas. The brokers facilitating these conversions are operating under the guise of “preachers”.

How does this gang operate ?

1. The agents are deployed in every village as ‘gang preachers’. They specifically target the needy, including the poor and the sick. Their primary responsibility is to bring such individuals to prayer gatherings. Missionaries strategically assign preachers based on different social groups. In this setup, preachers successfully persuade members of their communities to convert. This entire operation is carried out through preachers and clergy members.

2. Reports suggest that certain churches are financially supporting these conversion gangs. A former intelligence officer claims that the “Joshua Project” website provides insights into this extensive conversion network.

3. A case of attempted religious conversion has surfaced in Uttar Pradesh’s Shravasti district. In this incident, the name of Harish Singh from the Ikauna area has come forward. He converted to Christianity five years ago while in Punjab. After returning to his village, he started organizing prayer gatherings in his hut. However, when security forces raided the place, he disappeared.

4. Reports indicate that similar gangs are active near the Nepal border. In sensitive districts of the Devipatan division, such as Shravasti, Bahraich, Balrampur, and Gonda, cases of religious conversion have emerged. Following this, the police have been instructed to take strict action.

5. Regarding this matter, IPS Amit Pathak added that authorities have been directed to closely monitor such activities in these districts.

More than 4,500 conversion gangs active in just 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh

Editorial Perspective

Despite the presence of an anti-conversion law, Christian missionaries continue large-scale conversions, implying that they consider the law meaningless

Conversion gangs have become highly active at the district level. Prayagraj’s Sangam city has the highest number, with 443 active groups. Other districts with significant number of missionary gangs include :

Maharajganj – 398, Bahraich – 378, Shravasti – 320, Balrampur 330, Gonda – 340, Ayodhya – 333, Ambedkar Nagar – 347, Sitapur – 326, Siddharth Nagar – 345, Amethi – 317, Raebareli – 323, Pilibhit – 346

These gangs are actively engaged in converting Hindus, even as Uttar Pradesh enforces strict laws against religious conversions.

Editorial Perspective

The Union government is expected to enact a law against religious conversions; however, the absence of such a law makes it difficult to curb these incidents. Hindus must put pressure on the government to implement this legislation !