Poor Hindus targeted for conversion by Christian evangelists under pretext of religious teachings
Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, India 
19 April, 2025
Case Summary
In Madhavapur's Gulri Ghat village, under Mihipurva tehsil, Christian evangelists were attempting to convert poor Hindus after Christian teachings were being promoted under suspicious circumstances. The event took place at Ratan Lal Maurya's residence. Christian hymns and music dedicated to Jesus Christ were being played during the event. A Bible was placed on the stage, and several men and women were present. Concerns were raised by the Bajrang Dal, including district president Hemant Verma and Shivpur block president Himanshu Verma, who stated that the program was linked to Christian conversion efforts. They arrived at the scene with their teams and informed the police about the conversion attempt. According to the police, the event was reportedly held in observance of the fulfilment of a vow. They confirmed the presence of Christian hymns and religious texts at the place where the event took place. Police took some individuals into custody and brought them to the station.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category of: - 'Predatory Proselytisation' and the sub-category selected here 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. Here, the event was held at a Hindu man's house and included Christian hymns and Bible teachings, with several people attending. It was reported as a gathering to fulfil a personal vow, but the presence of Christian prayers and religious material suggests it was actually aimed at promoting Christianity among poor Hindus. When such programs are conducted in Hindu areas, especially among poor and less-educated people, they often take advantage of their difficult situations. Offering help, support, or emotional influence in exchange for religious change is a form of inducement. This kind of activity does not respect the Hindu community’s right to follow their faith freely. Instead, it tries to slowly push people away from their religion using tricks or emotional pressure. That’s why this case is not just about religious preaching—it’s an act of targeting Hindus and trying to convert them by unfair means, which makes it a form of hate crime and deserves to be recorded in the Hinduphobia tracker.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
