NEW DELHI– July 28, 2025 – Indian investigative agencies are dismantling what they describe as deep-rooted, clandestine operations allegedly targeting Hindu youth, particularly young girls, for forced religious conversion to Islam. Recent arrests in Uttar Pradesh and other states have revealed an alarming modus operandi, purportedly with foreign funding channeled through seemingly legitimate non-governmental organizations (NGOs), sparking national debate and raising serious concerns about national security and communal harmony.
The crackdown, spearheaded by agencies like the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Agra Police under “Operation Asmita,” has exposed complex networks employing radicalization, coercion, and even human trafficking. Authorities assert that these syndicates operate with “ISIS-style jihadist patterns,” utilizing online platforms and deceptive tactics to lure vulnerable individuals.
The Agra “Operation Asmita” Bust: LeT Funding and Digital Radicalization
One of the most significant breakthroughs came from Agra, where police busted a syndicate allegedly funded by the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). This funding, investigators claim, was routed through international channels in the UAE, Canada, London, and the US.
The network’s chilling methods included:
- Online Brainwashing: Local recruiters allegedly used Islamic preaching, dedicated YouTube channels (like “The Sunnah Channel” run by accused Abdul Rehman Qureshi), and covert online sessions to radicalize Hindu girls.
- Deception and Trafficking: Victims were reportedly lured, brainwashed, and then trafficked to different states under fake identities.
- Coercion and Allurements: Rescued survivors have detailed being trapped via social media platforms like Facebook, pressured into conversion, and even forced into polygamous marriages. One survivor, “Maryam,” recounted being coerced and taught to use fake SIM cards to evade detection.
Among the key individuals apprehended in connection with the Agra racket are:
- Abdul Rehman Qureshi: Described as a soft-spoken shoe shop worker, he is accused of being a key operative in Agra, responsible for brainwashing girls through extremist ideology propagated via his YouTube channel. His family, however, denies the allegations, claiming unawareness of his activities.
- Ayesha alias SB Krishna (Goa): Allegedly managed the syndicate’s finances, receiving funds from Canada-based Syed Dawood Ahmed and distributing them within India.
- Shekhar Rai alias Hasan Ali (Kolkata): Ayesha’s husband, he reportedly acted as the syndicate’s legal advisor, arranging documents for conversions.
- Abu Talib: Accused of Facebook entrapment of victims.
- Piyush Fanwar alias Muhammad Ali: A converted Hindu, he allegedly lured youth through propaganda videos.
Over 12 arrests have been made across multiple states including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Goa, and West Bengal, with investigations still ongoing.
The Chhangur Baba Racket: 1,500 Victims and a ₹100 Crore Trail
Parallel to the Agra investigation, the Uttar Pradesh ATS has made significant strides in exposing another large-scale conversion racket led by Jamaluddin, alias Chhangur Baba, from Balrampur. This syndicate is accused of converting over 1,500 Hindu women and others through coercion, inducement, and exploitation, particularly targeting widows and childless women.
The scale of this operation is staggering, with investigators uncovering:
- Extensive Network: The racket’s reach extended across Maharashtra, Dubai, and Mumbai.
- Significant Foreign Funding: A substantial foreign funding trail exceeding ₹100 crore (approximately $12 million USD) has been discovered, reportedly funnelled from Gulf nations through shell accounts and fake NGOs. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stepped in to probe the financial trail, even finding a photograph of Croatian currency on an associate’s phone, hinting at wider international links.
- “Rate List” for Conversions: Disturbingly, authorities claim Chhangur Baba maintained a “rate list” for different types of conversions, using various methods including honey-trapping and administrative pressure.
- Property Demolitions: Properties linked to Chhangur Baba and his associates, allegedly acquired through illicit funds and valued at over ₹40 crore, are being identified for seizure and demolition.
Recent arrests in the Chhangur Baba case include his close aide Nasreen, and Rajesh Kumar Upadhyay. Police also arrested six individuals in a joint operation between Agra and Uttarakhand police, linked to the Chhangur gang and its international operations from Pakistan and Dubai. One victim reported being threatened with the murder of her daughters if she didn’t convert.
Foreign Funding and NGO Scrutiny: A Deeper Concern
The recurring theme across these investigations is the alleged involvement of foreign funding, often routed through NGOs. The Indian government has, in recent years, significantly tightened the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) to curb the flow of foreign funds to organizations deemed to be involved in “forced religious conversions” or “anti-national activities.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has explicitly stated that NGOs linked to such activities will have their foreign funding licenses revoked. This regulatory environment provides the backdrop for the intensified scrutiny of organizations suspected of diverting funds for conversion activities.
“Love Jihad” and Anti-Conversion Laws: The Broader Context
These incidents are frequently framed by authorities and some sections of society under the controversial term “love jihad,” alleging a conspiracy where Muslim men feign love to convert Hindu women. While official investigations focus on coercion and illegal means of conversion, the term itself remains highly debated.
The crackdown also underscores the ongoing relevance of anti-conversion laws in several Indian states, which criminalize conversions carried out through “force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means” or “by a promise of marriage.” The Allahabad High Court recently ruled that interfaith marriages without religious conversion are illegal, further complicating the legal landscape surrounding such unions.
The unearthing of these alleged conversion rackets, coupled with evidence of foreign funding and links to terror organizations, has intensified a critical debate in India regarding religious freedom, national security, and the protection of vulnerable individuals. As investigations continue and more details emerge, the full extent of these operations and their impact on India’s social fabric will become clearer.