The Rise of a Godman-Turned-Accused
Jalaluddin, popularly known as Chhangur Baba, rose from the obscure village of Madhpur in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district to become a self-styled spiritual figure — a godman to many. But behind this religious mask, authorities allege a deeply disturbing operation: a conversion racket funded by nearly Rs 500 crore in foreign money, with significant amounts channelled illegally through Nepal.
Arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), Chhangur Baba now finds himself at the heart of one of the largest alleged religious conversion scandals in recent Indian history. According to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his actions were not only “anti-social” but “anti-national.”
The Money Trail — Hawala, Nepal, and Beyond
The ATS claims that Rs 300 crore was moved through illegal hawala routes via Nepal, while another Rs 200 crore came through formal banking channels over the last three years. The funds reportedly originated from countries including Pakistan, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, with the intention to finance religious conversions in India.
Over 100 bank accounts were traced in Nepalese border districts like Kathmandu, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, and Banke, where agents — earning 4–5% commission — facilitated money movement. The mechanism was elaborate: deposits through Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs), currency conversion through local exchangers, and discreet transfers to Indian districts like Balrampur, Shravasti, Bahraich, and Lakhimpur.
Notably, agents from several Bihar districts — Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Champaran, and Supaul — were also implicated in the smuggling network, suggesting a well-structured operation with cross-border roots.
Conversion Agenda and Regional Impact
The most concerning revelation is that these funds were allegedly used to convert individuals — especially women — to Islam, with Ayodhya district cited as a major hotspot. The investigation indicates that religious conversions were carried out under the guise of spiritual teachings, with cash inducements and psychological manipulation.
Authorities are probing 40 Indian bank accounts linked to Chhangur and his aides. Additional seizures include Rs 34.22 crore in the accounts of one Naveen Rohra and Rs 13.90 crore linked to a woman named Nasreen. The suspicion deepens with ongoing investigations into foreign accounts in Sharjah and Dubai, raising the possibility of a much wider financial and ideological network.
In a significant move, Chhangur Baba’s illegally constructed 40-room mansion in Balrampur — valued at Rs 5 crore — was demolished after being found built on encroached government land.
A Pattern of Exploitation in Religious Guises
Chhangur Baba’s case echoes past incidents where religion has been manipulated for power and profit. In 2021, Delhi police cracked down on a conversion racket run by an Islamic cleric and a deaf interpreter that targeted vulnerable individuals under false promises of employment and education.
Similarly, in 2018, self-styled godman Rampal was convicted of murder and inciting violence while running a massive religious cult in Haryana, proving how spiritual facades often mask criminal activities.
These cases point to a recurring pattern: exploitation of faith for control, especially in marginalized or low-literacy communities. Religious conversions, when driven by coercion or inducement, not only violate individual freedoms but also threaten communal harmony.
Law, Society, and a Critical Reckoning
The Chhangur Baba episode is a stern reminder that unchecked religiosity, when mixed with foreign funding and ideological agendas, can erode the very fabric of a pluralistic society. While the ATS continues its investigation, the demolition of illegal properties and arrests send a strong signal that the state is not taking such violations lightly.
However, legal action alone won’t suffice. Society must build awareness, empower communities with education, and address socio-economic vulnerabilities that make them susceptible to such exploitation.
Faith must remain a matter of personal belief — not a commercial project funded by foreign interests and driven by deceit.
In the case of Chhangur Baba, the godman may have fallen, but the system that allowed such a rise must now be scrutinized — and reformed.
(With agency inputs)
