Hindus induced to convert to Christianity with financial incentives, inside illegaly built Church
Lucknow District, Uttar Pradesh, India 
8 February, 2025
Case Summary
Hindus were being converted inside a house-church in Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow, leading to significant unrest. Locals found Christian missionaries carrying out conversions under the guise of prayer meetings. Angered by the situation, residents gathered, raised slogans, and demanded strict action. Upon receiving complaints, a large police force arrived at the scene. Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha spokesperson Shishir Chaturvedi stated that conversions had been happening in Khargapur for years, with activities increasing in recent months. Kuldeep Tiwari stated that Hindu residents were under pressure as properties were being bought at inflated prices, and a church had been constructed on residential land. On the morning of the incident, around 400-500 people had gathered inside the church. Locals, suspecting conversion activities, informed the police. Despite officers from multiple stations arriving, the church doors remained closed. The police gradually escorted individuals out in small groups. ADCP Pankaj Kumar Singh acknowledged complaints of conversions and overcrowding. He confirmed that 30-40 individuals were safely removed and sent home. 50-60 individuals were taken to the police station for questioning. Authorities confirmed that an investigation into the alleged conversions was underway. Local residents expressed concerns that the church had been operating covertly for 7-8 years, with conversion activities escalating in recent months. Witnesses claimed that despite multiple complaints, authorities had not taken significant action earlier. Additionally, it was found that people were lured into conversions with promises of financial aid and other benefits.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case is being added to the primary category 'Predatory Proselytisation' under the sub-category 'conversion/attempts to convert by inducement'. Predatory Proselytisation is not just limited to threat, harassment, force and violence, but it also has contours of stealth. In several cases, the Hindu victim is exploited to convert, with non-Hindus taking advantage of their poverty. In such cases, the Hindu victim who is suffering financially is offered monetary benefits, including lucrative offers for jobs, health treatment, education, etc, to induce the victim into changing his/her religion. In such cases, the religious identity of the victim and the aim to disenfranchise him from his faith form the heart of the crime. Also, taking advantage of and exploiting an individual’s economic vulnerabilities is widely acknowledged as exploitation, forms of which are often penalised by law. Such cases therefore are considered religiously motivated hate crimes since the victim’s religious identity forms the very heart of the crime itself. In this case, the locals confirmed that financial aid and other benefits were given to vulnerable Hindus to induce them into converting to Christianity. In such situations, when inducement is offered to conversion, it is a predatory practice ab initio because it manipulates the vulnerabilities of Hindus to disenfranchise them from their professed faith. Such inducements prove that the conversion to another faith was not out of a change of heart or genuine belief in the doctrine, but a result of a manipulative tactic which uses their vulnerabilities for the purpose of conversion. Such actions are predatory in nature and is therefore, a religiously motivated hate crie.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
