Economically vulnerable Hindu families brainwashed to convert to Christianity through monetary inducements in Varanasi
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India 
6 January, 2026
Case Summary
Four Christian evangelists were attempting to convert poor Hindu families in Duniyapur village under the Harlua area of Varanasi district, prompting police action following a formal complaint. The matter came to light after office bearers of the Vishva Hindu Parishad alerted Badagaon police about suspected conversion activities in the village. According to the complaint, economically vulnerable Hindu families were being approached and influenced to convert to Christianity through inducements. The information prompted the police to initiate an inquiry into the allegations. After conducting a preliminary investigation and verifying inputs from the locality, Badagaon police registered a First Information Report under Sections 3 and 5 of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. Police officials stated that the provisions were invoked after material evidence was found suggesting attempts at unlawful religious conversion. The accused were identified as Mukesh, aged 51, Krishna Kumar Maurya, aged 38, Inosh Joseph, aged 30, and Ravi Joseph, aged 54. They were arrested from different locations, including areas near Kadipur Railway Station and the Madanpur canal culvert. Police confirmed that all four accused were taken into custody, and further legal proceedings are underway. Authorities stated that the investigation is ongoing to determine whether additional individuals were involved and to assess the scale of the alleged conversion activities in the area.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This incident has been added to the tracker under the category- Predatory Proselytisation. Under this, the subcategory selected is- Conversion/attempts to convert by inducements. 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. This incident qualifies as a religiously motivated hate crime because Hindu families were targeted on the basis of their religious identity and economic vulnerability. The actions involved deliberate attempts to induce members of a specific religious community to abandon their faith through material incentives. The focus on poor Hindu households reflects discriminatory selection rather than voluntary or informed religious choice. The use of inducements to influence conversion constitutes predatory interference with religious freedom. Such conduct exploits socioeconomic disadvantage and weakens the ability of individuals to exercise free consent, thereby undermining freedom of conscience. When conversion efforts are tied to material benefit, the process shifts from personal belief to coercive manipulation. The organised nature of the activity further reinforces the hate crime assessment. Multiple individuals operated within a defined locality and approached families in a coordinated manner. This demonstrates intent and planning rather than isolated personal interaction. By attempting to dismantle Hindu belief systems among economically vulnerable families through inducements, the act functions as an attack on Hindu religious identity itself. The harm extends beyond individual victims to the wider community, as such practices aim to erode collective faith and cultural continuity. Taken together, the targeted selection of Hindus, exploitation of poverty, and inducement-based pressure to abandon their religion establish this incident as a case of religious persecution that meets the criteria for inclusion in the tracker.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
