Uttar Pradesh’s Chhangur Baba, the alleged mastermind behind a mass religious conversion racket, has broken his silence on the accusations against him.
Jamaluddin, also known as Chhangur Baba, is accused of orchestrating a large-scale illegal religious conversion network in Uttar Pradesh. Speaking out for the first time since his arrest, he declared his innocence.
“I am innocent. I don’t know anything,” Chhangur Baba told reporters as he and his aide Nasreen were escorted from the Community Health Centre after a medical examination.
The case has attracted the entire nation's attention since this arrest by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) along with his associate Neetu, aka Nasreen.
The investigation has uncovered what authorities describe as an elaborate network allegedly involved in luring and coercing vulnerable people, particularly Hindu women and minors, into converting to Islam.
These conversions were allegedly carried out through deceit, emotional manipulation and financial inducements, i.e by all means being hook or crook.
A key element of the allegations centres on a massive financial trail. Probes by the ATS and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have revealed that over Rs 500 crore was allegedly channelled through around 40 bank accounts linked to Chhangur Baba and his associates. The funds are believed to have originated mainly from Gulf countries and possibly Pakistan.
Investigators suspect the money was used to bankroll the conversion operations, with reports claiming there was a “fixed incentive structure” depending on the caste of the person converted. Allegedly, sums ranged from Rs 8-10 lakh for other castes to Rs 15-16 lakh for Brahmin, Sikh or Kshatriya women.
Authorities also accuse Chhangur Baba of amassing illegal properties worth over Rs 100 crore in Balrampur and Pune, some allegedly built on government land without permission.
His lavish mansion in Balrampur, said to have served as a hub for conversion counselling and activities, has been largely demolished by the district administration. Officials have also found a controversial text titled Shijr-e-Tayyaba, which Chhangur allegedly self-published and used for indoctrination.
The investigation has taken on national and international dimensions, with allegations that Chhangur Baba travelled abroad using Nepal-issued passports. Officials claim they have recovered a so-called “hate toolkit” detailing plans to publish anti-Hindu material.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has described Chhangur Baba’s activities as “anti-social” and “anti-national,” underlining the seriousness of the multi-agency probe, which includes the ATS, ED and possibly the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
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