On 28th December, the Fatehpur police in Uttar Pradesh arrested a pastor, David Gladwin, and his son, Abhishek Gladwin, on serious allegations of luring poor Hindus to convert to Christianity. According to the police action, the alleged conversions were carried out using inducements and intimidation. The arrests took place after members of Hindu organisations raised strong objections and staged a protest over the issue.

The matter came to light after activists from Bajrang Dal and the Vishva Hindu Parishad accused the pastor and others of carrying out forceful religious conversions. These activities were reportedly taking place at the India Presbyterian Church located in Deviganj, which falls under the Radhanagar police station area of Fatehpur district. Following the protest and complaint, the police registered a case in the matter. OpIndia accessed the First Information Report related to the incident.

Details recorded in the FIR

The FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by Devprakash Paswan. The case has been lodged under Sections 299 and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. The accused named in the FIR include pastor David Gladwin, his son Abhishek Gladwin, and Johan Vishwas alias KK Bengali, along with five to six unidentified persons.

In his complaint, Devprakash stated that on 28th December, he, along with his associates Neeraj Paswan and Sushil Raidas, was called to the church in Deviganj at around 10 am. Upon entering the premises, they found that a prayer meeting was already in progress. The gathering included hymns being sung and worship of Jesus Christ.

During this prayer session, Devprakash alleged that objectionable remarks were made against Hindu deities. He further stated that individuals present inside the church were being pressured to convert to Christianity. According to the complaint, assurances were given that anyone who accepted Christianity would receive money, household items, employment opportunities, and free education for their children.

The complaint further stated that when Devprakash and his associates objected to these activities and tried to protest, they were given Rs 1,100 and told to remain silent. The pastor and his associates allegedly offered more money if they agreed not to raise objections. Devprakash added that the accused had been visiting his village repeatedly and urging residents to place images of Jesus Christ inside their homes and attend church services every Sunday.

According to Paswan, villagers were promised financial rewards for bringing new people to the church. Those who refused to comply were allegedly threatened with consequences. He stated that such activities had created an atmosphere of fear in rural areas, with people being mentally harassed. Some individuals, he claimed, were forced to leave their homes, while others were pushed into extreme mental distress, even leading to attempts of suicide.

Protest breaks out near church premises

As information about a conversion-related event at the church spread, activists from Bajrang Dal and the Vishva Hindu Parishad reached the church premises and began protesting. They told the media that a large number of Hindu women were present inside the church at the time. According to them, these women were being targeted through promises of employment, faith-based healing, financial help, and education for their children.

The protesting activists blocked the exits of the church and demanded immediate intervention by the police. They insisted that law enforcement officials question everyone present inside the church before allowing them to leave the premises, citing concerns over possible coercion and inducement.

Police step in, suspects taken into custody

Following the complaint and the growing protest, Thariyaon Deputy Superintendent of Police Veer Singh reached the spot along with police teams from several nearby police stations. The police intervened to control the situation and assured the protesters that legal action would be taken based on facts and evidence.

During the police operation, pastor David Gladwin was taken into custody for questioning. Later, the police confirmed that two accused, including the pastor, had been arrested in connection with the case. Officials also stated that efforts were ongoing to trace the remaining named and unnamed accused mentioned in the FIR.

Remarks from police officials and Hindu groups

Speaking to the media, DSP Veer Singh stated that some Hindu women had visited the church and that the circumstances under which they came there were being investigated. He said that the pastor was being questioned and that further action would depend on the findings of the investigation.

Radhanagar Inspector Vinod Maurya also addressed the media, stating that statements of the women present inside the church were being recorded. He added that the investigation was focused on determining whether inducement or coercion had been used.

Leaders of the Hindu organisations involved in the protest said that the incident was not an isolated one. They claimed there was a clear pattern of repeated targeting of poor and marginalised Hindus. According to them, conversion activities were being conducted under the guise of prayer meetings, commonly referred to as ‘changai sabha’. They alleged that villagers were being pressured to convert through a mix of inducements and threats.

Further investigation in the matter is currently underway.