Hindus lured and illegally converted to Christianity in Uttar Pradesh
Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India 
9 March, 2025
Case Summary
In Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, Hindus were reportedly targeted by Christian missionaries using illegal conversion tactics. Three accused, identified as Nixon Baksh, Sandeep Kashyap, and Chenda Dukpa, allegedly carried out the conversions. Nixon Baksh was a resident of Unnao, while Sandeep Kashyap was from Lucknow and Chenda Dukpa resided in Sidhauli but originally hailed from the Alipore district of West Bengal. The accused were arrested at Biswan Chauraha in Sidhauli. A case was registered against them under Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. The arrested individuals were presented in court. The incidents of illegal Christian conversions are not new in Sitapur. On December 13, 2024, economically vulnerable Hindus were allegedly lured into converting to Christianity with promises of money and employment. The Sidhauli police uncovered the missionary racket and arrested seven Christians for operating an illegal conversion network in Uttar Pradesh.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been placed in the hate tracker under the prime category- Predatory Proselytisation. Under this, the sub-category chosen is- 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. Luring Hindus to convert to a different faith by offering money and inducements such as miracle cures for ailments is predatory in nature since the extremists manipulate the specific vulnerabilities of disadvantaged and poor Hindus to manipulate them into conversion. This stems from inherent hostility towards the victim's professed faith since Abrahamic faiths believe that any non-adherent to the faith is a subject to be dehumanised till they convert. Since such predatory actions stem from doctrinal animosity towards the Hindu faith and its adherents, this case is being documented as a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
