Chhangur Baba Used Fake RSS Ties, PM's Photo on Letterhead To Carry Out Conversions

A stunning revelation has come to light during the ongoing probe into the alleged massive religious conversion racket, with the authorities stating that the arrested mastermind, Chhangur Baba, often used to deploy bogus claims of RSS connections and even placed the Prime Minister's photograph on his official letterheads in a bid to lend his operations some semblance of legitimacy. These bogus measures were deployed, as alleged, in order to gain entry and control over government officials and political leaders at different levels.

Chhangur Baba, formerly Jalaluddin, is now being seriously investigated by agencies such as the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The probe has brought to the fore a chain of intricate associations which allegedly lured gullible individuals, particularly economically weaker sections of society and the Scheduled Castes, with promises of money, marriage, or other inducements and compelling them to change religion.

Deceptive Practices and Exaggerated Influence

As per investigators, Chhangur Baba went to great lengths to project an image of clout and influence. While meeting officials and local leaders, he would "name-drop" high RSS functionaries and claim false proximity to the nationalist organization. The use of a letterhead with the Prime Minister's photograph also served to give this ruse an aura of respectability, and many were fooled into believing that his activities enjoyed top-level endorsement. These deceptions of sophistication permitted him to function with apparent impunity for quite some time, spreading his supposed conversion activities.

The ED and the ATS have discovered an enormous financial trail linked to Chhangur Baba. Preliminary investigation identifies a flow of funds of more than ₹100 crore, generated through hundreds of bank accounts, with enormous amounts allegedly coming from outside the country. These funds were allegedly utilized not only for performing the conversions but also to buy large tracts of property. Investigators are now digging into land deals and property purchases, many of which were allegedly conducted in the name of his co-conspirators to hide his direct involvement

Untangling a Large Network

The probe has expanded, and raids have been conducted at numerous offices located in Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai. The police have also confiscated a "red diary" containing the names of numerous politicians and retired bureaucrats who, reportedly, had been given financial assistance by Chhangur Baba. This revelation points to another link between the alleged network of conversion and political circles, and hence another line of inquiry.

The government is keen to pull down the whole operation and hold all the concerned actors accountable. The head of government has called the activities "anti-national," promising to deal sternly with the culprits. The Chhangur Baba case has not only brought to the fore the weaknesses of some of the communities but also demonstrated how people can exploit hallowed symbols and institutions for nefarious purposes, and the requirement of increased vigilance and responsibility.