On 6 November 2025, a controversy erupted in Kota, Rajasthan, after Pastor Chandi Vargesh and several other church pastors conducted “spiritual sessions” at Birsheba Church that allegedly resulted in the conversion of local Hindu residents to Christianity. A video of Vargesh proclaiming that Christianity would soon replace “Satan’s rule” went viral on social media, triggering protests from Hindu organisations. Representatives submitted a memorandum to the District Collector and filed a complaint at Borkheda Police Station. Police have registered an FIR and begun an investigation into the allegations.
In this report, we have compiled 21 incidents from January to November 2025 documenting how evangelical groups allegedly lured or coerced poor and tribal villagers into converting to Christianity.
#1 Forced Conversions at Birsheba Church Trigger Statewide Outrage (4-6 November 2025)
In Kota, Rajasthan, Pastor Chandi Vargesh and several pastors brought from Delhi conducted “spiritual satsangs” at Birsheba Church between 4-6 November 2025. Locals alleged that Hindu individuals were converted through pressure tactics. A video of Vargesh declaring Christianity would replace “Satan’s rule” went viral, sparking protests by Hindu organisations. A memorandum was submitted to the District Collector, and a complaint was filed at Borkheda Police Station. While the church claimed the programme had official permission, police reviewed the video and registered an FIR. An investigation was launched into allegations of forced conversion and provocative statements.
#2 Illegal Conversion Racket Busted; Five Arrested in Nainapur (7 October 2025)
On 7 October 2025, Rajasthan Police uncovered a conversion racket in Nainapur where five accused – Prashant Jatav, Rohit Jatav, Ramnarayan Bairwa, Mahesh Meghwal, and Keshav Bedada targeted poor Hindu families. Investigators recovered conversion literature, pen drives, and propaganda material promoting Christianity while spreading false statements against Hinduism. Residents stated they were pressured with money and fear tactics to convert. The operation revealed structured planning by the group. Police registered an FIR under Sections 196(2) and 299 of the BNS. All five were arrested, produced before the court, and subsequently sent to judicial custody.
#3 Pastor and Son Accused of Pressuring Villagers in Sriganganagar (6 October 2025)
On 6 October 2025 in Khatalbana, Sriganganagar, Pastor Baggu Singh and his son Amandeep were accused of luring villagers into Christianity by promising miraculous healing. Victim Satnam Singh reported that the pastor declared he would be cured only if he converted. Singh alleged the pastor insulted Sikhism and its Gurus, threatened his son Sukhwinder, and conducted conversion rituals inside a house-church. Baggu Singh was previously booked in 2024 for offering ₹1 lakh for conversions. Hindumalkot Police registered an FIR; Amandeep was arrested while Baggu absconded. Pawan Singh was arrested for assaulting Satnam near the police station.
#4 Police Seize Christian Literature at Mass Conversion Meeting in Dholpur (28 September 2025)
On 28 September 2025, a large gathering at the home of Ratan Singh in Surajpura, Dholpur, was found to be a planned conversion meeting attended by over 100 villagers. Complainant Vijay stated that the organisers told locals to destroy home temples and discard idols. The accused—Ratan Singh and associates—allegedly made derogatory remarks against Hindu deities and used external funding to lure poor families. When Vijay objected, they attempted to attack him. Police seized Christian books from the scene, registered an FIR, and detained one accused while an investigation continued into the organised activity.
#5 Conversion Attempt Sparks Tension at Prayer Gathering in Bharatpur (28 September 2025)
On 28 September 2025 in Sevaar, Bharatpur, a prayer meeting held inside a private home was reported as a covert conversion operation. Local residents alerted Bajrang Dal, whose members found a large crowd gathered. They alleged that conversion attempts were underway under the guise of prayer, prompting slogans and protests. The main organiser fled before police arrived. According to Bajrang Dal coordinator Shubham Saintra, the meeting was part of an organised evangelism module targeting Hindu families. Police dispersed the gathering and initiated an inquiry into the activities conducted inside the premises.
#6 Police Seize “Target Papers,” Arrest Two in Anupgarh Conversion Case (23 September 2025)
On 23 September 2025, Sandeep from Anupgarh reported that two men, Paul Barjo and Aryan, were coercing him to convert. During investigation, police recovered documents detailing conversion targets, success records, and operational plans, confirming an organised effort. The accused allegedly focused on Hindu and Sikh families, using false promises of miraculous healing and problem-solving to influence victims. After five days in police remand, the court ordered judicial custody for both. A third accused, Vinod Kumar, remained absconding. Police stated his arrest was imminent.
#7 Christian Conversion Centre Busted in Bharatpur’s Subhash Nagar (14 September 2025)
On 14 September 2025, police in Subhash Nagar Colony, Bharatpur, exposed a conversion centre operated by Hariom Koli and Yogesh Koli. Poor Hindu families were gathered and lured with ration, clothing, money, and job promises. Inside, police recovered Bibles, holy water, and conversion material. Witnesses said women and children were being encouraged to adopt Christianity through inducements and emotional pressure. One accomplice fled with additional materials before police arrived. Officers arrested Hariom and Yogesh and seized all documented items from the centre during the raid.
#8 Church Disguised as School Found Converting Tribals in Dungarpur (14 September 2025)
On 14 September 2025, villagers in Jelana, Dungarpur, discovered that a building advertised as a school was secretly operating as a church for three years. Local Hindu groups found tribals being instructed to offer Christian prayers inside the premises. The operators allegedly misled families by presenting religious conversion as educational support. Community leader Gopalram Maharaj stated that ongoing conversion activity had targeted multiple tribal households. Police presence was recorded, though no arrests were immediately confirmed. Investigations into the misuse of the school cover continued.
#9 Man Offered Money and Benefits for Conversion in Banswara (6 September 2025)
On 6 September 2025, RP Patresh and his group attempted to convert residents of Bocharda, Banswara, by offering ₹5,000 monthly support, free education, and medical benefits. When Congress district president Kamlesh Damor arrived with workers to oppose the efforts, the accused assaulted them and issued death threats. Patresh’s supporters allegedly stormed the police station with sticks to intimidate the complainants. Kamlesh filed an FIR at Kesarawadi Police Station. The conversion network was described as organised and targeting vulnerable families.
#10 Forced Conversions of Children Exposed in Alwar Missionary Hostel (3 September 2025)
On 3 September 2025, Alwar Police raided a missionary hostel in Syed Colony, Udyog Nagar, rescuing 52 children reportedly forced into Christian practices. The facility, operated by Tamil Nadu-based “Naya Jeevan Sanstha,” housed children aged 6–17 from Alwar, Hanumangarh, and Delhi. Victims said Father Amrit and caretaker Sonu Rayasikh pressured them to abandon their religion. Police recovered Bibles and conversion material. Both accused were arrested, and the children transferred to safety. A formal FIR was registered.
#11 Pastor Bajinder Ran Major Conversion Event in Bharatpur (22 August 2025)
On 22 August 2025, police raided a large evangelist gathering at Sonar Haveli in Atal Bund, Bharatpur, where Pastor Bajinder Singh, already jailed in Punjab for a rape case, conducted a mass conversion event via video displays. Around 350 attendees were provided food, cash, and “healing promises.” Women were given ₹500 each to convert. Police seized objectionable material and religious books and arrested three organisers. Bajinder was later brought on a production warrant. Authorities also examined foreign funding linked to his accounts.
#12 Conversion Operation Found in Sikar’s Shanti Nagar Church (13 August 2025)
On 13 August 2025, Sikar Police uncovered conversion activities inside Shanti Nagar Church, where Pastor Shelvan and members kept diaries listing targeted Hindu families. Residents found people being pressured to accept Jesus during a prayer meeting. Police seized diaries, religious books, and conversion material. Both the church group and Hindu organisations filed cross-complaints, after which police detained suspects and initiated an investigation.
#13 Secret Conversion Plot Uncovered in Bikaner’s Valmiki Basti (27 July 2025)
On 27 July 2025, police in Valmiki Basti, Bikaner, detained a group led by Ajit Kumar running a secret conversion module inside a rented house. Around 15–20 residents were being persuaded to convert using promises of protection and statements promoting extremist ideas. Police recovered Bibles, conversion literature, violent notes, and links to earlier exposed modules in Bengla Nagar. Twelve individuals were detained, and questioning was launched.
#14 Mass Conversions at Dausa’s Agape Fellowship Church (29 June 2025)
On 29 June 2025 in Dausa, VHP and other Hindu groups protested outside Agape Fellowship Church, alleging thousands of conversions had been conducted over the years. Pastor Thomas George reportedly used prayer sessions to influence economically vulnerable residents and later performed rituals at hidden locations where Hindu symbols were removed. Police received a formal complaint and launched an inquiry into allegations of long-running conversion activity.
#15 Woman Dies by Suicide After Forced Conversion Pressure in Bharatpur (15 June 2025)
On 15 June 2025, 25-year-old Manja from Talimpur village died by suicide after recording a video accusing her husband Laxman, mother-in-law Ramdei, and brothers-in-law Arun and Rohtash of forcing her to convert to Christianity while also demanding dowry. Married on 21 January 2015, she discovered her in-laws secretly practiced Christian rituals. She alleged pressure to abandon Hindu worship and fulfil dowry demands including ₹1 lakh and a Bullet motorcycle. Police treated the suicide video as primary evidence and registered an FIR.
#16 Pastor Accused of Coercing Family Through “Alcohol Cure” in Ajmer (24 May 2025)
On 24 May 2025, a youth from Foysagar Road, Ajmer, alleged a pastor from Kundannagar lured him with claims of curing alcohol addiction. The pastor administered a liquid, forced him to attend a Bible centre, removed Hindu deity photos from his home, and discouraged regular worship. He reportedly influenced the victim’s wife and sister-in-law, leading the sister-in-law to convert. Police received a formal written complaint and began an inquiry.
#17 Foreign Missionary Booked for Converting Bhil Families in Kota (21 April 2025)
On 21 April 2025 in Kaithoon, Kota, police booked foreign national Colleen and organiser Joy Mathew for conducting conversion programmes among the Bhil community. Bajrang Dal workers claimed the duo gathered tribal families for conversion without permission. Police registered an FIR under Section 13 of the Foreigners Act, detained the accused, and verified their involvement in unauthorised religious activity.
#18 Sirohi Evangelist Event Disrupted; Four Detained (6 March 2025)
On 6 March 2025, police disrupted a conversion event at Anwar Nagauri’s agricultural well in Revdar, Sirohi, where 120–150 Adivasis were gathered. Preachers claimed they could cure illnesses and that “no law applies to them.” Police detained four individuals and seized Bibles. Later, villagers gathered at the police station demanding release of the accused. Police sent them home and continued the inquiry.
#19 Secret Tribal Conversion Drive Busted in Udaipur (16 February 2025)
On 16 February 2025 in Udaipur, police raided the home of Chhaganlal Bhagora, who had gathered 11 tribal people for conversion through prayer meetings and inducements. In another linked incident in Bikaner, missionaries organised a covert conversion event in Bangla Nagar targeting tribal families. Police detained all 11 participants along with the house-owner couple and seized conversion materials.
#20 Evangelical Group Arrested for Conversions in Kasarwadi (24 January 2025)
On 24 January 2025, Kasarwadi Police arrested Shailendra Dodiyar and five others for attempting to convert Mangilal’s family by offering money and insulting Hindu deities. The group had been distributing Christian books to ST families across the settlement. Police seized conversion material and registered an FIR.
#21 Five Arrested for Offering Cash to Force ST Families into Christianity in Banswara (9 January 2025)
On 9 January 2025, Banswara Police arrested five men—Tolsingh Garasia, Suresh Pitar, Pappu Humarmal, Rajesh Badra Garasia, and Makna Singh Garasia—after discovering a late-night gathering of ST families. The accused offered ₹1 lakh per person, monthly allowance, clothes, and household items to force conversions. They allegedly insulted Hindu deities and conducted Christian rituals. Police filed charges and seized religious material.
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