Bajrang Dal gets five Muslim men arrested, alleging conversion attempt in UP

Five Muslim men have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Hamirpur district on charges of unlawful religious conversion after they allegedly conducted a religious ceremony inside the house of a Dalit family, with the event attracting the attention of members of the Hindutva group Bajrang Dal, who accused the men of attempting to convert the family to Islam by offering promises of healing and financial benefits.

The family involved, consisting of Urmila and her husband Ajit Verma, had reportedly constructed a mazaar (shrine) in their home in the Maudaha area at the suggestion of the accused men. The family believed that praying at the shrine would cure Urmila’s prolonged illness and bring an end to their misfortunes, The Wire reported.

The incident occurred during an “urs” (an Islamic religious ceremony) on the night of January 10, which Bajrang Dal activists disrupted. The group informed the police and claimed that the ceremony was part of an attempt to convert the family by offering promises of healing and monetary benefits. These allegations were taken seriously, prompting the police to intervene.

The five Muslim men arrested were identified as Nooruddin, his nephew Meraj Hasan, Khalif, Irfan, and Mohammad Hanif. They were charged under Sections 3 and 5(1) of The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, which prohibits forced conversions and outlines legal penalties for such activities. Four of the men were arrested on January 10, and the remaining individual was taken into custody the following day.

Urmila, who was reportedly suffering from an illness for over two years, had met Nooruddin while seeking treatment. He had suggested that visiting the mazaar and conducting an urs would improve her health. The construction of the shrine inside their house followed this suggestion. However, Urmila later stated that the Muslim men had encouraged her to consider converting to Islam, promising benefits such as improved social status and financial aid. While initially tempted by the promises, Urmila and her husband decided against converting after reflecting on the situation.

Despite the accusations made by the Bajrang Dal, both Urmila and her husband denied converting to Islam or being coerced into doing so. They emphasized that their religious identity remained Hindu and that they had not been misled into changing their faith. The couple confirmed that they had participated in the ceremony at the urging of the men but had no intention of renouncing their Hindu beliefs.

Authorities responded to the situation by asserting that they had acted in accordance with the law after receiving reports of an alleged illegal religious conversion. The incident has sparked debate about the intersection of religious practices, freedom of belief, and the legal boundaries set by the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The case continues to draw attention amid growing concerns over religious conversion and the enforcement of related laws in the state.