Fanatic Muslims attempt to convert young women in a gymnasium in Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh)

Railway Police constable one of the accused

The detained fundamentalist and soldier Irshad Khan (in the frame)

Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh) – Police have unearthed a well-planned religious conversion racket run through gyms in Mirzapur. Investigation has revealed that Railway Police constable Irshad Khan and his colleague Farid Ahmed lured more than 50 young women into the trap under the guise of gyms called ‘Iron Fire’ and ‘KGN 2.0’.

Contact with young women through social media and pressure tactics

The accused used to establish contact with young women through Instagram. After that, they were blackmailed into converting by using fake romantic relationships or objectionable videos. The Police have issued a ‘look-out notice’ against the main mastermind Lucky Ali and have arrested constable Irshad Khan and gym instructor Farid Ahmed.

Organized business from illegal recovery money

The investigation also revealed that constable Irshad Khan used to travel in expensive vehicles and had set up a chain of gyms with the money he had received from illegal extortion. A woman named Sanno was also involved in this gang. She used to gain the trust of the girls and lure them into the trap. The accused used to divide the girls among themselves. If a girl was not caught in the trap in one gym, then attempt was made to entrap her in another gym. Hundreds of photographs, videos and digital evidence of conversations have been seized from the mobile phones of the arrested accused.

Action on gyms

The administration has sealed the ‘KGN2.0’ gym and seized expensive machinery purchased using the funds received through conversions. According to locals, women used to visit there, and parties used to happen till late at night. The Police are currently tracing the financial transactions of the entire network and are searching for the main mastermind, Lucky Ali, who is on the run.

Editorial Perspectives

• In the absence of a strict law against religious conversions, large scale religious conversion of Hindus is taking place in the country. This is shameful for Hindus and all-party Governments.

• No other religion ever dares to convert Muslims in Islamic countries; however, in Hindu majority India, Hindus are easily converted. This is shameful for Hindus.