A Kerala pastor has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh on charges of alleged religious conversion following a complaint filed by members of the Bajrang Dal, police officials said.
Bajrang Dal is a Hindutva organisation that is infamous for its hate campaigns and hate crimes against religious minorities in India, particularly Muslims and Christians.
According to the police, Pastor Jose Thomas, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, Jose Thomas, who is currently residing in Patna, Bihar, had travelled to Ballia district, where he was reportedly addressing a gathering of more than 20 women and children when he was taken into custody.
Authorities claimed that he had arrived in the area for religious activities allegedly linked to conversion through inducements, including promises of employment and financial assistance.
Police said that during the operation, officials seized 124 religious books along with musical instruments and microphones from his possession.
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