A pastor was arrested in Akbarpur town of Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar district following allegations of unlawful religious conversion under the guise of faith healing. The incident has reignited discussions about the use of religious gatherings to influence vulnerable individuals and the enforcement of anti conversion laws in India.
According to police officials, Pastor Pramod Kumar was booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act after a complaint was submitted by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The complainants alleged that a church gathering was being used to persuade Hindu men and women to adopt Christianity.
The First Information Report stated that more than 200 individuals had assembled at the church for what was described as a healing and prayer event. During the gathering, attendees were reportedly encouraged to participate in Christian prayers and religious practices. The complaint further alleged that the pastor urged those present to abandon their traditional beliefs and place their faith in Christian teachings.
Following the complaint, police officials visited the church premises to assess the situation. Members of local Hindu organizations were also present and expressed concerns regarding the alleged conversion activities taking place at the venue. After conducting preliminary inquiries and registering a case, law enforcement authorities arrested Pastor Pramod Kumar and sent him to judicial custody.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of religious conversions allegedly carried out through faith healing claims, emotional appeals, or other forms of influence. Critics argue that religious belief should be based on personal conviction and informed choice rather than promises of miraculous cures, social pressure, or attempts to exploit vulnerable individuals seeking relief from illness or hardship.
Supporters of anti conversion laws maintain that every citizen has the right to practice and propagate religion, but conversions achieved through coercion, deception, or inducement violate the principle of genuine religious freedom. They argue that faith must remain a matter of conscience rather than persuasion through material or emotional means.
Police have stated that a detailed investigation is underway and that further action will depend on the evidence gathered during the course of the inquiry.