Attempt to Convert Hindus to Christianity under guise of Bhajan Sandhya in Pilibhit
Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, India 
11 October, 2024
Case Summary
In Pilibhit, an attempt to convert Hindus to Christianity under the guise of a Bhajan Sandhya (devotional music event) was reported on October 12 in Kalyanpur Bhant village, under the Barkheda police station area. The event was being used to mislead and motivate members of the Hindu community to convert. Bajrang Dal workers, upon learning about the situation, reached the location and reported the matter to the police, finding the organizers encouraging conversions under the pretext of a religious gathering. The police promptly responded and detained several suspects involved in the event. Propaganda material promoting Christianity was also discovered among those detained. The Barkheda police assured that a thorough investigation into the matter would be conducted to uncover the full extent of the incident.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
Distinct elements in this particular case demonstrate that the crime was committed while harbouring a bias against the Hindu faith and with a specific aim to disenfranchise the victims from their Hindu identity. According to the details, this case has been placed under the prime category of 'Predatory Preselytisation' of the tracker. Under this, the sub-category that has been selected is- Proselytisation by brainwashing, manipulation or subtle indoctrination. Religious brainwashing essentially means the often subtle and forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up their religious beliefs to accept contrasting regimented ideas. Religious brainwashing also involves propaganda and manipulation. It involves the systematic effort, driven by religious malice and indoctrination, to persuade “non-believers’ to accept allegiance, command, or doctrine to and of a contrasting faith. Cases of such brainwashing are far more nuanced than direct threats, coercion, inducement and violence. In such cases, it is often seen that there is repeated, subtle and continual manipulation of the victim to induce disaffection towards their own faith and acceptance of the contrasting faith of the perpetrator. While subtle indoctrination is widely acknowledged as predatory, an element which is often understated in such conversions or the attempts of such conversion is the role of loyalty and trust which might develop between the perpetrator and the victim. Fiduciary relationships are often abused to affect such religious conversion. For example, an educator transmitting religious doctrine of a competing faith to a Hindu student. The Hindu student is likely to accept what the teacher is transmitting owing to the existence of the fiduciary relationship. The exploitation of the fiduciary relationship to religiously indoctrinated victims would also be included in this category. Since the underlying animosity towards the victim’s faith forms the basis of predatory proselytization, such cases are considered religiously motivated hate crimes. Here, the perpetrators employed tactics of brainwashing, manipulation, and subtle indoctrination to convert Hindus to Christianity. Calling people under the pretext of a Bhajan Sandhya while distributing propaganda material promoting Christianity constitutes a form of manipulation. The distribution of propaganda material promoting Christianity during the Bhajan Sandhya was a strategic move aimed at asserting the perceived superiority of Christianity over Hinduism in the minds of the participants. Such materials often contain persuasive narratives and selective interpretations of religious texts designed to create doubt and discontent regarding one’s existing beliefs. By framing Christianity as a more enlightened or superior faith, the propaganda seeks to diminish the value of Hindu practices and beliefs, thereby undermining the participants' confidence in their own religious identity. This tactic can be particularly insidious, as it not only attempts to sway individuals’ spiritual convictions but also aims to instil feelings of inadequacy or inferiority regarding their own faith. By presenting Christianity in a favourable light while casting Hinduism in a negative one, the material effectively seeks to manipulate the perceptions of those exposed to it. This approach can foster a sense of disillusionment among Hindus, making them more susceptible to conversion efforts. The details of the case make it evident that the central aim of the perpetrators was to disenfranchise the Hindus from their professed faith. Since the central motivation here is religion, this case has been added as a hate crime.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
N/A
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
