The large-scale conversion case in Balrampur has once again deepened the concerns of state and national security agencies. Jalaluddin Shah alias Changur is accused of running an organized conversion syndicate in Uttar Pradesh and the Delhi-NCR region, including Ghaziabad.
Ghaziabad: A new name has emerged in a major religious conversion racket that has surfaced in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi-NCR — Jalaluddin Shah alias Changur. According to intelligence sources, Changur is not only an active face in conversion activities in Balrampur, but his direct connection to the high-profile 2021 Ghaziabad conversion case is also becoming apparent.
Took Command of the Syndicate After Umar Gautam's Arrest
In 2021, when the Uttar Pradesh ATS arrested Umar Gautam and Jahangir Alam, it was believed that the conversion syndicate's backbone had been broken. However, with Changur's name now coming to light, it is becoming clear that Changur quietly took command of the syndicate and reactivated its network in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, NCR, Maharashtra, and other states.
According to sources, Changur is connected to a person named Munjir who is active in Mumbai. This individual used to provide him with religious conversion training. Munjir's name surfaced during the large-scale conversions in North India, including Ghaziabad, in 2021. Intelligence agencies believe that Munjir is associated with a radical organization based in Nagpur and operates a conversion network throughout India with the help of foreign funding.
After receiving training in Mumbai, Changur returned to Balrampur, where a humble shopkeeper selling rings and gems suddenly became a financially prosperous individual. This transition became a significant red flag for intelligence agencies.
Extensive Network
Sources also reveal that after the arrest of Umar Gautam, Changur took over the operation of the conversion network. He strengthened his network in various states and began to motivate people to convert. It is said that Changur has connections with several extremist organizations, which also provide foreign funding for this work.
Members of the gang are given attractive sums of money and facilities for carrying out conversions. This is why they display their economic status to bring others into this network.
Vipul Vijayvargiya Was Sent to Ghaziabad
The entire network came into the spotlight when two young men, Vipul Vijayvargiya and Kasif, were caught in suspicious circumstances at the Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad on June 2, 2022. Surgical blades and medical equipment were recovered from them during the search. Police initially arrested them under minor charges, but when the media and intelligence agencies started investigating, shocking revelations came to light.
It was revealed that Vipul Vijayvargiya was a resident of Madhya Pradesh and had converted to Islam, changing his name to 'Ramzan'. He had also married Kasif's sister. This conversion took place under Munjir's network, and after that, he was sent to Ghaziabad, where he stayed at a Unani medical training center and incited people to convert.
Action by ATS and Intelligence Agencies
Following these incidents, the Uttar Pradesh ATS and intelligence agencies interrogated Changur, Salimuddin, Kasif, Vipul, and several others. During this interrogation, names like Umar Gautam and Jahangir Alam resurfaced, and the investigation revealed information about the forced or fraudulent conversion of thousands of people. According to intelligence sources, people like Changur and Munjir lure innocent people in different parts of the country with false promises, forcing them to convert. These include mostly economically weak, uneducated, or sick individuals.
