Kerala-based pastor Alvin ran illegal church in Kanpur

Exploited Vulnerability of Poor Hindus, Used Inducements for Religious Conversions
Arrested After Police Investigation

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) — Kanpur, widely known as the state’s “industrial city,” has in recent years also gained notoriety for alleged religious conversion activities targeting Hindus. On January 13, the Ghatampur police arrested a Kerala resident identified as Pastor Alvin.

According to the police, Alvin exploited the helplessness of poor Hindus by luring them with promises of curing illnesses and, in several cases, by issuing threats to force religious conversion. He had rented a house in Nauranga village of Ghatampur and illegally converted it into a so-called “house church.” This premises was allegedly used to carry out religious conversions.

🚨 Kanpur Conversion Exposed 🚨

A pastor from Kerala, Alvin, illegally set up a church in Kanpur and ran a conversion racket by exploiting poor Hindus with false allurements.

🚔 Police investigation led to his arrest.

Despite strict anti-conversion laws in Uttar Pradesh,… pic.twitter.com/ao0U7pohXy

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) January 17, 2026

On January 13, a prayer gathering was being held at this house church, during which Hindus were allegedly persuaded to convert. Activists of Bajrang Dal received information about the gathering and rushed to the spot. A local Hindu activist named Mukesh Kumar lodged a formal complaint with the police.

Following the complaint, the police promptly registered a case and arrested Pastor Alvin red-handed. Investigations are currently underway to determine the scale of the alleged conversion activities and whether others were involved.

The incident has once again brought Kanpur and Uttar Pradesh into focus amid ongoing debates over enforcement of anti-conversion laws and the role of external religious actors.

Editorial Perspectives

Though the name ‘Alvin’ means “good friend,” such pastors have become enemies of Hindus through religious extremism; they deserve life imprisonment.

Despite an anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh, a pastor from Kerala set up a church and ran a conversion racket—raising questions about disregard for the law.