Maulana Umar gautam, an Islamic scholar and preacher, came into the spotlight in india for allegedly converting over 1,000 Hindus to Islam. He was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh in june 2021, along with his associate Mufti Qazi Jahangir Qasmi, on charges of illegal religious conversions. The police claimed that gautam and his team were involved in large-scale conversions, particularly targeting vulnerable groups such as the deaf, dumb, women, and economically disadvantaged individuals.
Authorities alleged that the conversions were carried out through coercion, deceit, or financial incentives, rather than voluntary choice. gautam was accused of running an organized racket that converted Hindus to Islam, mainly in Uttar Pradesh but also in other states, through his organization, the Islamic Dawah Center (IDC). The ATS claimed the group received funding from abroad to support its activities.
Gautam, however, denied these allegations, stating that the conversions were voluntary and done out of genuine spiritual inclination. He asserted that those who approached him wanted to convert of their own free will, and he simply facilitated their wishes. The case sparked debates on religious conversions in india, raising questions about religious freedom and the role of external influences in conversion activities.
Authorities alleged that the conversions were carried out through coercion, deceit, or financial incentives, rather than voluntary choice. gautam was accused of running an organized racket that converted Hindus to Islam, mainly in Uttar Pradesh but also in other states, through his organization, the Islamic Dawah Center (IDC). The ATS claimed the group received funding from abroad to support its activities.
Gautam, however, denied these allegations, stating that the conversions were voluntary and done out of genuine spiritual inclination. He asserted that those who approached him wanted to convert of their own free will, and he simply facilitated their wishes. The case sparked debates on religious conversions in india, raising questions about religious freedom and the role of external influences in conversion activities.
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