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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Yogi Adityanath flags conversion 'conspiracy', warns of efforts to divide Hindus and Sikhs
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday claimed attempts were being made to drive a wedge between the Hindus and Sikhs , and urged the people to be wary of such actions. He also claimed that the now-behind bars Chhangur Baba of Balrampur had fixed rates for religious conversions, leading to transactions to the tune of Rs 100 crore. Adityanath made the remarks at the flagging-off of UP-Delhi Sandesh Yatra, being held to mark the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur . He hosted the yatris at his official residence here. The Sandesh Yatra will start from Lucknow and culminate at Chandni Chowk Sheeshganj Gurudwara in Delhi, the UP government said in a statement. Live Events Adityanath said that some cases of conversion have come to the fore in Pilibhit also, and asked the people to be a "little cautious" of religious conversions. "You must have seen what kind of conspiracy is going on. We have recently taken a big action in Balrampur. You must have seen that he had fixed the rates. That is, how to take forward the programme of conversion. "He had fixed the rates for converting Hindus, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Sikhs, other OBC castes, Scheduled Castes and (Scheduled) Tribes. Money was coming in from abroad. Just think, transactions worth more than Rs 100 crore have been received in his 40 accounts so far," the chief minister said. He said that he had dispatched a team to the district to conduct ' ghar wapsi ' (returning to original faith) of the converted. Adityanath said that some forces are trying to change the nature of the country in a planned manner and conspiring to break the religious harmony. The UP Anti-Terrorism Squad on July 6 arrested Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba and Neetu alias Nasreen, both natives of Madhpur in Balrampur district, for allegedly running a massive conversion racket. The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday said it had found inputs that suggested that the man amassed funds worth about Rs 106 crore, mainly from the Middle East, in 40 bank accounts linked to him and his associates, agency sources said. At the event, Adityanath paid his tributes to the Sikh gurus and hailed them for their sacrifice. "Circumstances have changed. Their objective is the same as it was at that time. Yes, they have changed their way of working. And this event is inspiring all of us for the purpose for which the Sikh Gurus had sacrificed their lives," he said. "Remember that many people will try to create divisions between Hindus and Sikhs. There is a conspiracy among us to divide us and weaken us. Who will save us from this? We will have to be cautious," the BJP leader said. Adityanath also mentioned Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and denounced him for his atrocities. "What a time it must have been when there was a cruel and brutal ruler like Aurangzeb. At that time, news of atrocities came from not just one place but from everywhere," he said. He said the ruler started a massive campaign of Islamisation, which was challenged by Guru Teg Bahadur Ji Maharaj. "And what atrocities were not committed on him," he said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Stay cautious against those who try to divide Hindus and Sikhs: Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday claimed attempts were being made to drive a wedge between the Hindus and Sikhs, and urged the people to be wary of such actions. He also claimed that the now-behind bars, Chhangur Baba of Balrampur, had fixed rates for religious conversions, leading to transactions to the tune of Rs 100 crore. Adityanath made the remarks at the flagging-off of UP-Delhi Balidan Sandesh Yatra, being held to mark the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur. He said that some cases of conversion have come to the fore in Pilibhit also, and asked the people to be a "little cautious" of religious conversions. "You must have seen what kind of conspiracy is going on. We have recently taken a big action in Balrampur. You must have seen that he had fixed the rates. That is, how to take forward the programme of conversion. He had fixed the rates for converting Hindus, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Sikhs, other OBC castes, Scheduled Castes and (Scheduled) Tribes. Money was coming in from abroad. Just think, transactions worth more than Rs 100 crore have been received in his 40 accounts so far," the chief minister said. Live Events He said that he had dispatched a team to the district to conduct ' ghar wapsi ' (returning to original faith) of the converted. The UP Anti-Terrorism Squad on July 6 arrested Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba and Neetu alias Nasreen, both natives of Madhpur in Balrampur district, for allegedly running a massive conversion racket. The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday said it had found inputs that suggested that the man amassed funds worth about Rs 106 crore, mainly from the Middle East, in 40 bank accounts linked to him and his associates, agency sources said. At the event, Adityanath paid his tributes to the Sikh gurus and hailed them for their sacrifice. "Circumstances have changed. Their objective is the same as it was at that time. Yes, they have changed their way of working. And this event is inspiring all of us for the purpose for which the Sikh Gurus had sacrificed their lives," he said. "Remember that many people will try to create divisions between Hindus and Sikhs ... There is a conspiracy among us to divide us and weaken us. Who will save us from this? We will have to be cautious," the BJP leader said. Adityanath also mentioned Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and denounced him for his atrocities. "What a time it must have been when there was a cruel and brutal ruler like Aurangzeb. At that time, news of atrocities came from not just one place but from everywhere," he said. He said the ruler started a massive campaign of Islamisation, which was challenged by Guru Teg Bahadur Ji Maharaj. "And what atrocities were not committed on him," he said.
News18
5 days ago
- News18
How Chhangur Baba 'Converted' Non-Muslims? 'Miraculous' Tactics Explained As 'Followers Stay Mum'
Chhangur Baba News: As UP Anti-Terrorism Squad prepares to extract more details about the conversion racket, News18 tries to answer some of the key questions. The arrest of Balrampur native Jamaluddin alias Chhangur alias Jhangur Baba has sent shockwaves across the country after the mass illegal religious conversion came to light. The 'baba', according to the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP-ATS), targeted women from non-Muslim communities and even maintained a ' rate list" for their conversions. Chhangur, along with his 'close aide' Neetu alias Nasreen, allegedly converted over 3,000 to 4,000 Hindus. It is suspected that of these, more than 1,500 victims were women, a report in Amar Ujala stated. How Did The Conversion Racket Begin? How Did They Attract People To Convert To Islam? Chhangur, originally from Rehra Mafi under Balrampur district, was living in Madhpur village of Utraula for over a decade. He was once a petty gemstone and ring seller who frequented Mumbai's Haji Ali Dargah. According to reports, his fortunes rose dramatically around 2020. Local residents said that Jamaluddin transformed from a trader to a self-styled 'pir' and spiritual guide with a sudden rise in wealth and status. A report by Aaj Tak stated that after gaining trust of people as a 'pir and spiritual guide", he made them believe that he has miraculous healing power. Once conviced by his 'miracles', his 'followers' were slowly brainwashed and forced to convert to Islam. The report further stated that Chhangur baba has such strong impact on people who consider him 'ruhani baba' or messiah that none of them are ready to speak against him, despite the revelations by ATS. The report quoted sources in ATS as saying that Chhangur baba had already worked on the entire plan to build a 'Dawa Kendra' on the Indo-Nepal border. Funding for the venture had also started coming from abroad. Not only this, under his leadership, some followers and relatives had started public programs in several cities to convert people to Islam. Two years ago, a case was also registered against some of his relatives in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh for illegal conversion. Chhangur and Nasreen, however, have not confessed to the crime or given details about the racket. The special court for ATS cases has allowed the police custody remand of the two accused till July 16 evening. During this period, the officers will try to find out the purpose of his conversion activities, his associates/financiers and Nasreen's exact role. A Hindustan Times report quoted a source in ATS as saying that Chhangur and Nasreen will also be brought face to face for interrogation and there will be a separate list of common questions to be asked from them together. Chhangur had illegally built a luxurious house on government property, which has been razed by the Uttar Pradesh government. The officials were shocked when, inside the mansion, they found luxurious tiles and imported marble, a 15×15 feet modern kitchen, plush sofas, imported furniture, 10 CCTV cameras, a 500-meter private driveway and an electrified perimeter wall to prevent trespassing. According to the Aaj Tak report, Spanish oil imported from Dubai and medicines to increase physical strength along with foreign detergents, perfumes, food items were also found. A Times of India report stated that due to the strong structure of the mansion, the demolition took several hours and is expected to continue for two to three more days. The encroachments reportedly include an illegally built college, hospital, and madrassa — spanning three to six bighas of land. Aaj Tak report stated that a secret control room was also found inside the bungalow, from which the CCTV cameras of the entire house were monitored. Baba's bedroom was also a kind of operation room, where every person entering was recorded. ATS has also recovered some sensitive documents from his room. The HT report quoted an ATS officer as saying that during questioning of the two accused, a lot more details are likely to come out. 'The involvement of different people, including government officials, having connivance with the accused in the past years in grabbing government land is also likely to be exposed," an officer was quoted. Further, a report in Dainik Jagran mentioned about the Maharashtra connection of the conversion syndicate. Through his 'follower' Naveen Rohra, Chhangur Baba reportedly purchased 204187.5 sq. ft. land in Maval tehsil of Pune for Rs 16 crore. The role of Idul Islam, a resident of Nagpur (Maharashtra), an active member of the gang, has also come to light in the purchase and sale of disputed lands, the Dainik Jagran report stated. ATS is searching for other members of the gang. Evidence of foreign funding has also been gathered in the investigation of various bank accounts, the report further mentioned. Who Is Naveen Rohra Through Whom Chhangur Baba Bought Land In Maharashtra? Chhangur Baba's name in fact surfaced prominently when Mumbai-based businessman Naveen Rohra, his wife Neetu, and their daughter allegedly underwent religious conversion under his influence. Post-conversion, the couple adopted Muslim names — Jamaluddin and Nasreen—and moved in with Chhangur Baba in Utraula, reportedly allowing him to use their luxury vehicles. view comments First Published: July 11, 2025, 06:35 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Demolition continues at conversion racket kingpin's mansion in Balrampur on second day
The Balrampur district administration on Wednesday continued its crackdown on the allegedly illegally constructed mansion of religious conversion racket kingpin Jalaluddin Shah alias Chhangur Baba in the Utraula area of the district for the second consecutive day despite heavy rain in the morning. Bulldozer action under way in Balrampur's Utraula area on the first day on Tuesday. (ANI PHOTO) Multiple bulldozers were used amid a significant police presence during the demolition operation that began at 10:10 am,targeting the unauthorised portions of the massive fort-like kothi (mansion) built on three bighas of land. Shah and Neetu Naveen Rohra, alias Nasreen, were arrested by UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Saturday (July 5). According to officials, the building—registered in the name of Nasreen—contains a big hall and multiple rooms in the building, which have been declared illegal. The mansion, estimated to be built at a cost of ₹3 crore, allegedly served as the nerve centre of a conversion network, according to ATS claims. A robust security arrangement was put in place and electric shock wires were installed around the property boundary as 10 CCTV cameras monitored the site. 'No member of the family was present during the operation as they had vacated the building in advance, taking their important belongings with them,' said Utraula SDM Rajendra Bahadur, adding that due process was followed, with multiple notices served to the occupants prior to the action. Eight bulldozers were initially deployed on-site, with the count increasing to nine by noon. SDM Rajendra Bahadur, who was supervising the operation, confirmed that a 40-foot-long hall was demolished on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, the team focused on additional structures marked for demolition, including solar panels and electrical fittings. 75% of illegal structure razed, remaining action to conclude by Thursday: SDM Speaking to Hindustan Times, SDM confirmed that approximately 75% of the illegal construction has already been demolished and the remaining portion will be razed by the evening or till 12 noon tomorrow (Thursday). He stated that only the illegally constructed section—a newly built structure—is being targeted. Another building located on their private land, which is not under dispute, is not being demolished. 'Legal notices ignored' Utraula tehsildarSatyapal Prajapati stated that notices for demolition were issued on May 17, June 17 and July 7. However, the administration received no response from either Chhangur Baba or Nasreen, prompting the enforcement action. Illegal installations discovered Inside the mansion, authorities discovered a mini power house equipped with 30 high-capacity luminous batteries (150 Ah), a 5 KVA generator, and a 15 KVA silent generator estimated at ₹5 lakh. Notably, a horse was found tied inside the premises, along with six German Shepherd dogs that villagers had temporarily taken away but returned after police intervention. Officials noted that the structure was built with high-grade RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete), making demolition a time-consuming process. It reportedly took over an hour for two bulldozers to bring down a single 10x8 ft room. So far, about 75% of the illegal construction has been razed, and debris removal is underway.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
UP religious conversion racket: Illegal construction on govt land by Chhangur Baba bulldozed
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Balrampur on Wednesday bulldozed the alleged illegal construction on government land by Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, the mastermind of a religious conversion racket recently nabbed by the UP ATS, official said. Additional Superintendent of Police Vishal Pandey said a complaint was received in Madhyapur village that Chhangur Baba had grabbed government land. During a probe the allegations were found to be true. Eight bulldozers are on the job to remove the encroachment on the government land by demolishing illegal structures, he said. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now The action will continue till the land is cleared, the Additional SP added. On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said preliminary investigations revealed Jalaluddin's activities are not only anti-social but also "anti-national". Live Events "In the initial probe, it has come to light that the activities of the accused Jalaluddin are not only against society but also against the nation," Adityanath said. Asserting that there will be no leniency in matters related to law and order in the state, the chief minister stated, The properties of the accused and other criminals linked to his gang will be seized, and strict legal action will be taken against them. On Saturday, the UP Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Chhangur Baba, along with his aide. Chhangur Baba and co-accused Neetu alias Nasreen are residents of Madhpur in Balrampur district . A non-bailable warrant was issued against Chhangur Baba, while the police had declared a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for his arrest. The case, registered at a police station in Gomtinagar, Lucknow, under various sections of the BNS and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021, alleges that the accused acted in an organised manner to convert individuals from Hindu and non-Muslim communities to Islam. "The poor, helpless labourers, weaker sections, and widowed women were lured with incentives, financial aid, promises of marriage, or forced through intimidation, in violation of established procedures for religious conversion by the accused," the police statement said. Earlier, two other accused -- Naveen alias Jamaluddin and Mehboob, who is Jalaluddin's son -- were arrested on April 8. Both hail from Balrampur and are currently lodged in the Lucknow District Jail.
