Innocent Hindu villagers lured to convert to Christianity in Bettiah, Bihar
Bettiah, Bihar, India 
28 January, 2026
Case Summary
Hindu villagers faced attempts at forced religious conversion from Christian missionaries in Bhitha, Bihar. Upon information of the religious conversions, Bajrang Dal activists submitted a written memorandum demanding an immediate halt to illegal conversion activities. In the memorandum it was stated that some Christian missionaries were luring innocent Hindu villagers into converting to Christianity. Taking these complaints and memorandums seriously, Bhitha's circle officer Manoranjan Shukla proceeded with the investigation in the matter. During the investigation, it was found that attempts were being made to convert Hindus to Christianity through religious activities conducted without legal permission in some locations. Manoranjan Shukla further clarified that any form of religious conversion that went beyond the scope of the law would not be tolerated. Notices were issued to those accused of facilitating religious conversions, demanding their response.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
The primary category selected is: Predatory Proselytisation. The sub-category selected under it is- Proselytisation by grooming, brainwashing, manipulation or subtle indoctrination, and the tertiary category is- Pattern of targeting Hindus. 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 grooming or 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 grooming or 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 perpetrator's contrasting faith. 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 indoctrinate victims would also be included in this category. Since the underlying animosity towards the victim’s faith forms the basis of predatory proselytisation, such cases are considered religiously motivated hate crimes. The second sub-category selected is- Conversions/ 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. This case was classified as a religiously motivated hate crime because the innocent villagers were targeted based on their religion. Targeting individuals solely for their religious identity established a clear religious motivation. Moreover, the inducements, manipulations, and luring through false promises expressed deliberate exploitation of the trust and vulnerabilities of Hindu residents. This showed a well‑stipulated tactic to push them into abandoning their faith. The structured approach reflected careful planning and targeted execution based on religion. In addition, the social and psychological impact intensified the hate dimension. The illegal conversion activities created tension and unease across multiple villages. Hindu residents experienced fear that their religion, traditions, and cultural practices were under threat. Being subjected to pressure and intimidation because of faith caused social and psychological harm, which was a defining characteristic of hate crimes. Furthermore, accounts from Hindu residents suggested that these efforts were not isolated but had occurred quietly over an extended period, revealing an organised and repetitive approach focused on a single religious community. Notably, this was not an isolated case, as the Hinduphobia tracker had recorded illegal conversion activities in Bhitaha in the past as well. As a result, the Hindu villagers experienced fear, confusion, and social tension, while their freedom to retain and practise their faith without pressure was undermined. Taken together, these factors demonstrated that the events in Bhitaha constituted a religiously motivated hate crime, as Hindu villagers were intimidated, coerced, and pressured to abandon their faith, causing social, psychological, and cultural harm. Consequently, it was added to the tracker.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
