Lucknow, July 12, 2025 – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cautioned citizens against those “trying to divide Hindus and Sikhs,” during the flagging-off of the UP–Delhi Balidan Sandesh Yatra, held to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. He revealed that Chhangur Baba, now in custody, had set up a systematic illegal religious conversion syndicate - complete with “fixed rates for converting Hindus, Brahmins, Sikhs, OBCs, SCs, and STs” - which was reportedly funded with over ₹100 crore from abroad into 40 bank accounts.

Adityanath stressed that such activities are part of ongoing conspiracies aimed at weakening communities’ unity. In his address, he paid tribute to the Sikh gurus, urging people to honor their sacrifice and remain vigilant against any divisive intent. He also announced the deployment of a team to Balrampur to assist in ghar wapsi (reconversion) for those allegedly coerced.

The development follows a major crackdown by UP’s Anti-Terrorism Squad and the Enforcement Directorate, which has registered cases of money laundering and is probing Chhangur Baba’s foreign funding networks. Adityanath reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguard societal harmony and protect vulnerable groups from such schemes.