LUCKNOW — Law enforcement authorities in Uttar Pradesh have apprehended a Christian preacher on allegations of attempting to induce religious conversions through false promises, officials confirmed. The individual was detained following complaints from villagers in a rural area of the state.
According to police statements, the accused allegedly made enticing but unsubstantiated claims to potential converts, including assurances of securing government employment and arranging marriages with attractive partners. The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of religious conversion activities across several Indian states.
Uttar Pradesh enacted anti-conversion legislation in 2021, formally titled the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, which mandates prior approval from district authorities before any individual changes their religion. The law imposes stringent penalties, including imprisonment ranging from one to ten years, for those found guilty of forced or fraudulent conversions. Critics have argued such legislation disproportionately targets minority religious communities, while supporters maintain it prevents exploitation of economically vulnerable populations.
The incident reflects broader tensions surrounding religious conversion practices in India, where several BJP-governed states have introduced similar legislative measures in recent years. The matter remains under investigation as authorities examine the extent of the alleged conversion activities.