Over 3,000 Sikhs allegedly converted in UP's Pilibhit; Nepal-based network under scrutiny
Babushahi Bureau
Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh), May 24, 2025: A major controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit district, bordering Nepal, where over 3,000 Sikhs have reportedly been lured into converting to Christianity through monetary inducements and social incentives.
The alarming trend came to light after local Gurdwara committees and Sikh organizations raised the issue with police and district authorities.
The Spark: One Woman’s Complaint Unveils a Wider Plot
The issue surfaced when Manjeet Kaur, a local woman, filed a complaint alleging that her husband had been coaxed into converting, and now the entire family was under pressure to follow suit.
She also claimed that Rs 2 lakh was offered, her fields were damaged, and her children were physically assaulted when she resisted.
Police Action and Investigation
Following her complaint, the police registered an FIR against eight named individuals and several unknown persons. A search for the accused is underway, though key suspects remain absconding.
Authorities say they are investigating all angles, including the source of funds and cross-border connections.
Sikh Groups Cry Foul, Call it Organised Targeting
Harpal Singh Jaggi, State President of the All India Sikh Punjabi Welfare Council, held a press conference claiming that the conversions were not isolated but part of a larger, organized effort.
He alleged that pastors from Nepal, Punjab, and Haryana were strategically targeting economically weaker Sikh families by offering them education, healthcare, and financial aid in exchange for conversion.
Conversion Network and Tactics
According to local sources, new converts are being promoted as pastors who in turn are influencing others in the community.
The conversions are reportedly concentrated in villages near the Indo-Nepal border, where poverty and lack of government outreach have left communities vulnerable.
District Administration Responds
District officials have launched a probe and stated that any conversions done through coercion or inducement will invite legal action.
Authorities are also coordinating with intelligence agencies to assess whether the issue has wider security implications, especially given the cross-border religious influence.
Communal Harmony at Risk
Sikh organizations warn that the issue poses a serious threat to communal harmony and national security. They claim foreign-funded religious groups are exploiting the region’s poverty to destabilize the cultural and social fabric of the border areas.
As investigations unfold, the case is being watched closely both for its religious implications and national security concerns, especially in a sensitive border district like Pilibhit.