– Akhilesh Tripathi
Lucknow: In Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh, the Superintendent of Police has been accused of coercing a Muslim man into converting to another religion under the threat of imprisonment. The individual, identified as Fatehuddin, alleged that SP Chakresh Mishra compelled him to convert to Hinduism by threatening to charge him and his brother under the National Security Act (NSA) and detain them.
Fatehuddin, a resident of Garhirawan village in Ataria police station area, reportedly met SP Mishra on December 16. During the meeting, the SP allegedly accused him of possessing illegal weapons and issued an ultimatum: convert to Hinduism or face imprisonment. According to Fatehuddin, he was detained in the police office for several hours and pressured to convert.
The SP is alleged to have summoned Vikas Hindu, national president of Rashtriya Hindu Sher Sena, who facilitated the conversion. Following the incident, Fatehuddin was renamed Fateh Bahadur Singh. Upon his release, he disclosed the ordeal to his family and expressed his intention to return to Islam.
In response to the allegations, SP Chakresh Mishra issued a press statement on X on December 21, categorically denying the claims. He stated that while Fatehuddin visited his office on December 16, no coercion or conversion occurred. The statement described Fatehuddin as a habitual offender with multiple criminal cases against him, implying that his allegations were baseless.
Vikas Hindu also denied the accusations, supporting the SP’s version of events. However, critics argue that these denials lack credibility, particularly given Vikas Hindu’s involvement in the alleged conversion.
The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, prohibits forced conversions and prescribes stringent penalties for violations. Under Section 5 of the Act, coercing someone to convert through intimidation carries a minimum sentence of 20 years. Observers point out that the allegations made by Fatehuddin fall squarely within the scope of this law and merit a formal investigation.
Critics argue that the incident reflects a broader trend of partisan politics allegedly endorsed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, which emboldens officials to act with impunity. The case has intensified calls for accountability, with many viewing it as emblematic of the state’s controversial approach to religious and administrative matters.
Amitabh Thakur, National President of Azad Adhikar Sena, has intervened, assuring Fatehuddin of justice and demanding a comprehensive investigation. In a letter to the Director General of Police, Thakur called for the filing of an FIR and a probe by the CBCID. He emphasised that the truth could only emerge through an impartial inquiry.
Thakur criticised the Sitapur police’s dismissal of the allegations, noting that the press note’s focus on Fatehuddin’s criminal history does not negate the seriousness of his claims. He urged authorities to separate the allegations of forced conversion from any unrelated past offences.
The allegations have sparked outrage, with critics questioning the integrity of state officials and the fairness of the legal system in Uttar Pradesh. The incident has also placed significant political pressure on the government, highlighting the potential misuse of power within the administration.
