Christian missionaries attempt to convert 110 Hindu men and women under false promises of marriage and by offering money
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India 
29 March, 2024
Case Summary
In Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a significant conversion racket was uncovered on March 30. Around 110 Hindu-Dalit men and women were being transported in two buses to a church in Unnao under false promises of marriage and Rs 50,000. Two individuals linked to the conversion operation, Williams and Deepak Morris, were apprehended. Police initiated an investigation after registering an FIR. Bajrang Dal workers intercepted the buses near the Boat Club of Nawabganj police station and discovered the fraud conversion scheme. The passengers disclosed they were being coerced into conversion. Subsequently, the police were notified, and two suspects were arrested. The passengers, reportedly belonging to impoverished backgrounds, were disembarked from the buses. Media reports cite conflicting numbers, mentioning either 110 or 80 individuals involved.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the category of- Predatory Proselytisation, under which 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. In this case, the inducement to convert was the Christian missionaries offering money to the poor Hindus who were being ferried to a church for conversion. The Pastors were clearly exploiting the poverty of the victims to induce them and disenfranchise them from their professed faith. Since the animosity towards the victim's professed religion and the attempt to disenfranchise the victims from it was at the heart of the crime, this case has been classified as a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Complaint registered
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
