Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh: Four people, including a pastor from Uttarakhand, were arrested in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh following allegations that a religious gathering was being used as a platform for unlawful religious conversions through inducements and promises of material benefits.
The incident took place in Rammanawala village, where a Christian prayer meeting was reportedly underway. Activists from Hindu organizations alerted the police, alleging that several Hindu families were being targeted for conversion through financial incentives and promises of household goods.
According to local activists, the accused pastor from Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, along with three local residents, had allegedly converted members of around 15 Hindu families and was attempting to influence more villagers. The allegations include providing monetary assistance and material items such as refrigerators, televisions, bicycles, motorcycles and sewing machines to encourage people to change their faith.
The arrests have once again brought attention to the issue of religious conversions in Uttar Pradesh, a state where Hindus constitute the overwhelming majority while Christians remain a small minority. Supporters of stricter conversion laws argue that organized attempts to change the religious demographics of vulnerable communities through economic inducements must be investigated.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which raised the complaint, said that such activities often target economically weaker sections, especially in rural areas. VHP Moradabad district general secretary Pankaj Singh Pal alleged that conversion groups operate under the cover of social service and religious gatherings while offering material benefits to attract people.
“Poor and vulnerable communities are being exploited by promising them financial assistance and facilities. Such activities are not genuine religious freedom but a form of manipulation,” Hindu activists claimed.
Uttar Pradesh has already enacted the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, commonly known as the anti-conversion law, aimed at preventing religious conversions through force, fraud or undue influence. Supporters of the law argue that it protects vulnerable communities from exploitation and preserves social harmony.
Hindu organizations have repeatedly raised concerns that certain missionary groups use charitable activities, education, healthcare and financial aid as tools for religious expansion. They argue that while genuine humanitarian work should be welcomed, assistance should not become a means to influence religious identity.
The issue has become politically sensitive in Uttar Pradesh, where the government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emphasized strict enforcement against illegal conversions. BJP leaders and Hindu organizations have maintained that the law is not against Christianity or any religion but against fraudulent practices aimed at changing religious demographics.
Critics of the arrests, however, claim that anti-conversion laws are sometimes misused and that legitimate religious activities are being wrongly targeted. Christian organizations have denied allegations of forced conversions and argue that prayer meetings and social service activities are being misunderstood.
Hindu groups, however, maintain that investigations must be allowed to determine the truth and that any organization found using money, gifts or welfare schemes to influence religious choices should face legal action.
The Moradabad case adds to a series of similar incidents reported in Uttar Pradesh, where allegations of illegal conversions have led to arrests of pastors and activists in recent years. Supporters of stricter monitoring say such action is necessary to protect vulnerable communities, while opponents warn against harassment of minorities.
The investigation into the Moradabad case will determine whether the allegations of unlawful inducement and conversion are substantiated.