Christian Pastor and Associates Arrested for Alleged Forced Conversions [Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh]

(Reported as seen)

In Moradabad district, Uttar Pradesh, a significant legal action has been taken against four individuals, including a Christian pastor, accused of converting Hindus to Christianity under the guise of providing assistance. The arrests were made on July 14, following complaints of unlawful conversions and inducements.

The accused include Pastor Kuldeep from Uttarakhand and three residents of Rammanawala village: Amarjeet, Jaipal, and Mukesh. The arrests followed an FIR filed by Pankaj Singh Pal, the general secretary of the Moradabad unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The complaint alleges that the group had converted nearly 60 individuals from 15 Hindu families to Christianity and was attempting to convert more locals.

According to the FIR, the accused frequently organized Christian religious gatherings and lured individuals with promises of financial assistance and material goods, including money, refrigerators, televisions, bicycles, motorcycles, and sewing machines. The VHP claims that individuals involved in these conversions were rewarded with Rs 25,000, while Pastor Kuldeep received Rs 35,000 for each conversion.

The police have booked the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Specific charges include criminal intimidation and unlawful conversion under Sections 351(2) and 351(3) of BNS and Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.

The incident came to light during a religious meeting on the night of July 12, when activists from the VHP and Bajrang Dal intervened, leading to police involvement. The authorities are currently investigating the matter further, and the situation remains under scrutiny as they work to uncover the full extent of the alleged illegal activities.