Forced conversion of poor Hindus by Christians under the guise of a prayer meeting in Fatehpur (Uttar Pradesh)

Derogatory remarks made against Hindu deities
Pastor David Gladwin and his son arrested

Fatehpur (Uttar Pradesh) – It has come to light that poor Hindus were being forcibly converted under the pretext of a prayer meeting at the India Presbyterian Church located in the Deviganj area.

According to the complaint filed with the police:

1. On 28^th December at around 10 a.m., Devprakash Paswan, Neeraj Paswan, and Sushil Raidas were called to the church. A prayer meeting was underway at the time. During the gathering, derogatory statements were made about Hindu deities, and those present were pressured to convert to Christianity. Hindus were allegedly lured with promises of money, household facilities, jobs, and free education for their children if they accepted Christianity.

2. When Devprakash and his companions objected to these activities, they were allegedly given ₹1,100 and told to remain silent. It is further alleged that they were offered more money to ensure they would not speak about the incident to anyone.

3. The accused are also alleged to have visited the village and pressured residents to place pictures of Jesus Christ in their homes and to attend church every Sunday. Those who brought new people to the church were promised rewards, while those who refused were threatened with “serious consequences.”

4. These actions created an atmosphere of fear among villagers. Due to mental harassment, some residents were forced to leave the village, while others continue to live under severe psychological stress.

5. Acting under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent of Police Vir Singh from the Thariyawan division, police raided the church and arrested Pastor David Gladwin and his son Abhishek Gladwin on 28th December. Cases have also been registered against several others, who are currently absconding.

6. Prior complaints had been filed by the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, alleging that forced conversions were being carried out under the guise of prayer meetings at the India Presbyterian Church in Deviganj. Following these complaints, police intervened and brought the situation under control.

Protest by Hindus outside the church

As news of the alleged forced conversions spread through the village, activists from the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad staged a protest outside the church. According to them, a large number of Hindu women were being converted by offering inducements such as employment, medical treatment, money, and education. Police action followed soon after, bringing the situation under control.

Editorial Perspective

Those involved in converting Hindus have clearly lost all fear of existing laws, as well as of the government, police, and administration—only then do they dare to commit such acts. The government must enact a law prescribing life imprisonment for such offenders; only then will such activities be curbed.