In the secluded fields of a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, a sinister operation allegedly preyed on the faith and desperation of hundreds of Dalits. What appeared to be a simple prayer hall was, according to police, the nerve centre of a sophisticated religious conversion racket run by a local man, Malkhan, who now goes by Mathews.Following Mathews' arrest last week, a ground report by India Today TV from Nigoha village reveals the intricate methods he allegedly used to convert hundreds of Hindus to Christianity over the past two years, promising miraculous cures for chronic diseases.Hidden from public view, Mathews constructed an elaborate world of his own. The large hall, now sealed by police, stands in stark contrast to its rustic surroundings. It was fitted with modern, stylish windows typically seen in upscale urban apartments. Inside, investigators found large speakers, an orchestra setup, and a solar panel system for a steady, free supply of electricity.At the centre of the hall were mats and chairs where villagers were allegedly brainwashed. Posters of Jesus Christ and a large church adorned the walls, and stacks of Hindi-language Bibles were kept ready for distribution.It was here, every Sunday, that Mathews held his "changai sabha" or healing prayer meetings. Locals allege that during these sessions, water was sprinkled on attendees as part of the rituals.The operation came to light when police, conducting a "Mission Shakti" women's safety campaign in the village, noticed something unusual. A significant number of Hindu women in the gathering were not wearing traditional symbols of marriage like sindoor (vermilion) or bindi.This prompted ACP Rajneesh Verma and Inspector Anuj Tiwari to investigate further.Interviews with villagers reveal a deep-rooted belief in Mathews' alleged powers."I had an ailment that no medicine could cure," one woman, who had stopped wearing Hindu symbols, said. "I attended the prayer meetings, and I was healed." Many others echoed her story, seemingly convinced of the miracles performed at the hall.However, the faith of some was a source of conflict at home. The husband of one attendee revealed, "I had to drag her back home. She was always running off to attend the healing assembly."Police sources say the operation was meticulously planned.Investigators discovered that Mathews, a member of the Scheduled Caste community himself, had converted to Christianity in 2016. While he allegedly convinced his followers to abandon idol worship, they continued to avail reservation benefits meant for Scheduled Castes."He would call villagers to his hall on the pretext of curing them," said DCP (South) Nipun Agarwal. "He created a WhatsApp group named 'Changai Sabha' to stay in constant touch with them and lure them in."The police are now scrutinising two of Mathews' bank accounts to trace the source of his funding, with potential links to Kerala and foreign entities being investigated. "He has admitted to conducting the conversions," DCP Agarwal confirmed. "This is a case of mass conversion, which is against the law."Mathews has been booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, with specific charges related to mass conversion and targeting women, children, and members of the Scheduled Caste.According to local sources, this is not an isolated incident. The region, including Mohanlalganj and Nigohan, has allegedly been a hub for such activities for nearly three decades, with what was once a single church in the 90s now replaced by five large churches and over 100 smaller prayer halls operating out of homes and fields. Police estimate that while Mathews may have converted around 500 people, the larger network could be responsible for converting over a thousand villagers in the area.
How 'miracle cures' claims were used for mass conversion to Christianity in UP
