Impact: Rashtra Jyoti Gets Illegal Conversion Racket Run by Pastor ‘Paani Wale Baba’ Shut Down in Bihar

In the first week of September 2025, Rashtra Jyoti received multiple calls from villagers in Saran district, Bihar, about a rapidly growing faith-healing gathering led by a pastor locally known as “Paniya Baba” or “paani wale baba”. 

Allegedly a Nepali national, this man was conducting mass prayer meetings in open fields where he would “bless” water bottles and claim they had miraculous healing powers for all diseases including cancer and paralysis.

What raised alarm was that these events were primarily targeting Dalit and extremely poor Hindu families, many of whom were being manipulated into believing that “Jesus-blessed water” was their only path to healing.

Rashtra Jyoti Field Investigation

Our ground team conducted a field investigation in Laher Chapra village, and uncovered the following:

• Weekly Thursday gatherings had grown to attract more than 5,000 people.

• Villagers were asked to bring water bottles which would be “infused with Jesus’s power”.

• Anti-Hindu sentiments were spread. Devotees were told that their traditional beliefs regarding their deities were the cause of their suffering.

• A support team of missionaries and locals handled logistics, including sound systems, tents, seating, and collection drives.

• Local police were captured on videos escorting the pastor to the stage.

Complaint by Rashtra Jyoti to NHRC

Following our field report, Rashtra Jyoti submitted an official complaint to NHRC Member Shri Priyank Kanoongo, outlining:

• Systematic violation of rights of Dalit and poor communities through religious exploitation.

• Targeted psychological manipulation using fabricated medical claims.

• Encouragement of social division by ridiculing indigenous deities and traditions.

Shri Kanoongo promptly acknowledged the matter and also posted on X about it.

NHRC Issues Notice to Saran Police

After Rashtra Jyoti complaint, NHRC issued notice to Saran police over the conversion racket.

Official Action: Saran Police Crackdown

On 16 September 2025, the Saran District Police released a press statement acknowledging the allegations against the pastor.

The note says:

• The man was motivating people for illegal religious conversion.

• He was duping poor villagers in the name of miracle water, and mocking other religions during the events.

• Given the seriousness of the allegations, the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) have ordered a detailed probe, assigning it to the Sub-Divisional Officer and Rural SP.

• The permission for the gatherings has been revoked, and authorities are verifying the credentials of the organisers.

• The SDO has confirmed that no future prayer sabhas will be allowed.

The local media in Bihar has acknowledged Rashtra Jyoti’s role.

See the visuals below:

Call to Action

Rashtra Jyoti will continue to monitor the situation and support affected villagers. We appeal to citizens across Bharat:

Do not fall prey to miracle-claiming frauds.

Report such events to local authorities.Support our village-to-village awareness drive to expose these fraudulent operations.