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Three Christians arrested in Uttar Pradesh over alleged conversions as Church leaders deny claims and warn of rising misuse of anti-conversion laws.
Newsroom (29/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) Police in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have arrested three Christians accused of organizing mass religious conversion events, allegations Church leaders strongly deny, describing the case as part of a broader pattern of hostility toward Christian communities.
The arrests took place on May 27 in Jalaun district, where pastor Vivek Kumar, Mohit Chaudhary, and another individual identified only as Amit were detained following a complaint accusing them of attempting to convert people to Christianity. Authorities subsequently registered a First Information Report (FIR), a formal complaint used to initiate criminal investigations in India, alleging violations of the state’s anti-conversion law.
According to the FIR, the accused were found engaging in religious conversion activities and were carrying Bibles and other Christian literature at the time. However, Church sources have presented a sharply different account of the incident.
A church representative stated that the three men were traveling with approximately 30 other Christians to Lucknow, the state capital, to attend a prayer gathering. During the journey, the group’s bus was reportedly intercepted by right-wing Hindu activists, who proceeded to search the vehicle. Upon discovering Bibles and prayer books among passengers, the organizers of the trip were accused of orchestrating a mass conversion event, prompting police involvement.
When officers arrived at the scene, the entire group was taken to a police station for questioning. While most of the travelers were released after interrogation, the three men identified as organizers were arrested.
Church leaders have firmly rejected the allegations. Pastor Joy Mathew dismissed the claims as baseless, asserting that there was “absolutely no truth” to accusations of mass religious conversion. He emphasized that the group had been engaged solely in lawful religious activity and had not violated any provisions of the law.
The incident has intensified concerns among Christian leaders, who argue that anti-conversion laws in Uttar Pradesh are increasingly being misapplied to target minority communities. Mathew described the arrests as part of a broader trend of growing attacks against Christians in the state.
According to a Church leader who provides legal assistance to Christians, 84 individuals, including pastors, have been jailed so far this year on allegations related to religious conversion. Of those, 13 remain incarcerated in various prisons. The leader claimed that many such cases are fabricated to create public suspicion about Christians and to tarnish the reputation of churches and prayer gatherings.
“These are cases fabricated to confuse the public about Christians and defame Churches,” the Church leader said, alleging that some Hindu nationalist groups aim to curtail Christian missionary activities as part of a broader effort to establish India as a Hindu nation.
Mathew also criticized the authorities’ handling of the situation, arguing that instead of detaining the group, police should have ensured their safe travel. He characterized the intervention as a violation of the individuals’ fundamental right to movement.
At the time of reporting, police had not issued any public response addressing the allegations raised by Church representatives or clarifying the basis for the arrests.
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state with around 240 million residents, is among 13 states that have enacted laws criminalizing religious conversion conducted through coercion, fraud, or inducement. These laws carry severe penalties, including potential prison sentences of up to 20 years for those found guilty.
Most of the states with such legislation are governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a pro-Hindu political party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Critics argue that enforcement of these laws has disproportionately affected religious minorities, particularly Christians.
Christians account for less than one percent of Uttar Pradesh’s population, in a state where Hindus form the overwhelming majority. The recent arrests have once again brought scrutiny to the implementation of anti-conversion statutes and their impact on religious freedom in the region.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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