In Chota Bharwara of Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow, a storm of resentment has been brewing over what the local Hindus claim to be covert Christian conversion activities. This escalating tension came to a head when Hindus in the area staged a protest, accusing Christian residents of turning a residential house into a hub for weekly Sunday prayer meetings, which they allege is a front for converting locals to Christianity. The accusations further extend to claims that these Christian groups are applying pressure tactics, either urging local Hindus to convert or coercing them to sell their homes and relocate.

On Sunday, 9th February, this unrest drew the attention of the Gomti Nagar Extension police, who were quick to act. A police team arrived at the disputed house, escorting nearly 50 individuals to the police station. According to police reports, the people in question claimed they were simply attending a prayer gathering. Their names and addresses were recorded before they were released. However, police made it clear that if this activity worsens the situation or disturbs communal peace, "appropriate action will be taken."

Amidst these tensions, PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) has been deployed to maintain order. The police are not taking any chances, as the volatile situation could spiral out of control at any moment.

A pivotal voice in this growing unrest is Ritesh Mishra, a resident of Bharwara Estate Colony in Chota Bharwara, who lodged a formal complaint at the Gomti Nagar Extension police station. He reported that a church had been surreptitiously established inside a private residence. Every Sunday, large gatherings are held there, and he alleged that religious conversions take place under the guise of these prayer meetings. According to Mishra, Christian missionaries were repeatedly warned by locals but blatantly ignored these objections, persisting with their illegal activities.

Tensions escalated further this Sunday around 10 am, when a significant number of attendees assembled for the prayer meeting. Witnesses assert that during the gathering, preparations were underway to convert several individuals. Upon noticing this, outraged residents confronted those inside the house. In response, people attending the meeting allegedly came out and issued threats to the protestors. The uproar drew more locals to the scene, amplifying the commotion.

The situation became critical enough that ADCP East Pankaj Kumar Singh and officers from both Gomti Nagar Extension and Gomti Nagar police stations had to intervene. Their swift response managed to temporarily calm tensions, but residents remain wary of the ongoing activities. Inspector Sudhir Awasthi, speaking on the matter, confirmed that police are investigating based on the allegations and have questioned several individuals linked to the incident.

Locals remain adamant, claiming that these prayer meetings are not just spiritual gatherings but a coordinated effort to undermine the area's religious and cultural fabric. The simmering anger also stems from suspicions that Christian groups have been offering inflated prices to buy properties in the area, thereby attempting to alter the demographic balance in their favor.

The protest highlights a recurring flashpoint in India: the growing concerns among Hindu communities regarding forced or fraudulent conversions by missionary groups. It has become a sensitive issue, with locals demanding stronger legal action to curb such activities. For now, law enforcement faces the difficult task of preserving peace while investigating the truth behind these allegations.

The situation, which has sparked widespread protests, involves serious accusations from the local Hindu community, who claim they are being coerced and harassed to either convert to Christianity or sell their homes at unfair prices.

According to Yogesh Mishra, Mohit, and Bharat Bhushan, long-time residents of Bharwara State Colony, the controversial house where these gatherings are held was built six years ago. Initially, the house attracted only a small number of visitors. However, in the past six months, there has been a sudden surge in attendance at the Sunday meetings, creating suspicion and concern in the neighborhood.

The locals allege that these gatherings are not merely for religious prayers but have become a center for conversion campaigns. They claim the visitors entice residents by promising lucrative offers such as jobs and large sums of money to those who agree to convert. More disturbingly, if residents refuse to convert, they are allegedly pressured to sell their homes and leave the area altogether.

Several residents, including Dhananjay Kumar Pandey, have pointed out that the house in question resembles a disguised church. "It has no outward religious symbols," Pandey explained. "The gates and walls are built so high that you cannot see what is happening inside." This hidden nature has fueled further mistrust and anger among the locals.

Manoj Sharma, another resident, voiced strong concerns, saying, “These Christian missionaries are luring people to Christianity by offering financial enticements and properties. The local Hindus are harassed, and if they oppose the missionaries, they get threatened.” Sharma also revealed that complaints regarding these illegal conversion activities had been lodged previously but were ignored by authorities, leading to mounting frustration within the community.

There are also serious allegations against the police, with many residents claiming that law enforcement has been hushing up the matter instead of taking strict action. "The situation is spiraling out of control because the police are more interested in pacifying us than investigating the truth behind these conversion activities," remarked one local protester angrily.

Responding to the growing criticism, Shashank Singh, DCP East, offered a different perspective. He stated, "At 10 am, information was received about religious conversion in a prayer meeting being held at a house in Chhota Bharwara. The police went to the spot and investigated. No evidence of religious conversion was found." Despite this claim, Singh confirmed that the attendees were warned about potential consequences if the neighborhood’s peace is disturbed in the future. "The crowd gathered here has been pacified and sent back. The situation is normal now," Singh added. He also confirmed that police and PAC forces have been deployed as a precautionary measure and assured residents that further action would be taken based on the complaints filed.

However, the residents remain skeptical. Many believe that unless firm legal action is taken, the threat of forced conversions and demographic changes in their area will persist. Their demand for justice and accountability continues to intensify as they accuse both Christian groups and law enforcement of negligence and manipulation.

Despite a formal complaint being lodged, no FIR (First Information Report) has been registered in connection with the matter. This has led to deep anger and resentment among the residents, who are now questioning the police’s commitment to upholding justice.

Angad Shukla, a prominent Hindu Samaj leader, has openly condemned the authorities’ inaction. He pointed out that illegal Christian conversion activities have been going on in the colony for several years, and despite repeated complaints, "the police are not taking any action." Shukla remarked bitterly that even after the commotion on Sunday, the police simply dispersed the crowd without registering any case. He said, “Even after 24 hours, no case was registered against anyone.”

Shukla and other Hindu activists have vowed not to let the matter rest. In a symbolic gesture of cultural defiance, Shukla announced that the Hindu Samaj group and local Hindus will gather every Sunday to recite the Sundarkand, a sacred chapter from the Ramcharitmanas, in Bharwara Estate Colony. This initiative is intended to counter what they see as an assault on their religious and cultural integrity by Christian missionaries. Shukla revealed that he had met with DCP Shashank Singh, who provided assurances that "necessary action will be taken in the matter." However, the Hindu community remains skeptical, demanding more than just verbal promises.

The Hindu Samaj has intensified its demands, insisting that the authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the property in question. Shukla has urged the police to scrutinize the church's registration papers, as well as its water and electricity bills. This, he argued, is essential to verify the legality of the activities taking place inside the house. The group has warned that if the police fail to take concrete and timely action, they will launch a massive protest in the area.

Meanwhile, further revelations have deepened the locals' concerns. According to a Bhaskar report, a man named Rajivlal is believed to have constructed a church-like house in the colony approximately five years ago. This initial structure was soon followed by the construction of three additional houses, which are connected internally. It is within these connected properties that frequent religious gatherings and possible conversion activities are said to occur.

The residents argue that this hidden network of properties is designed to shield illegal conversion practices from public view. They suspect that these gatherings are not just for prayer but are part of a larger, organized strategy aimed at altering the demographic composition of the area. This fear has fueled growing resentment, with locals demanding immediate intervention to protect their community from further encroachment.