Ladakh conversion row: Eight detained as LBA raises concerns, Christian community denies links

Although eight persons have been detained by Leh Police for questioning over their alleged involvement in religious conversion activities, tension flared in different parts of Ladakh on Thursday after the Youth Wing of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) alleged that a group of non-local individuals was involved in conversion-related activities in remote areas of the Union Territory.

However, representatives of the local Christian community distanced themselves from the individuals detained by the police in connection with the alleged religious conversion-related operation in the Skampari area.

The controversy erupted after the LBA alleged that a group was operating a Bible translation project in Leh and raised concerns over what it described as possible religious conversion activities in remote parts of Ladakh.

LBA Raises Concerns Over Translation Project

Addressing a press conference, the Youth Wing of the Ladakh Buddhist Association claimed that a group of non-local individuals was engaged in conversion-related activities in remote areas of Ladakh.

The LBA Youth President said the organisation was alerted by Dr. Sonam Paldan, President of the Aryan Sangha Committee, about activities being conducted from a rented building in Leh. Following the information, members of the LBA Youth Wing visited the premises along with representatives of the Aryan Sangha Committee.

According to the LBA, the building, which had reportedly been rented for residential purposes, had been converted into an office-like setup. They claimed that around 17 to 18 young people from regions such as Zanskar, Aryan Valley and Changthang were engaged in translating Christian religious literature, including the Bible, into local languages and dialects.

The organisation further alleged that several non-local individuals from Assam and Nepal were involved in managing the project. LBA members claimed that the translators were being paid monthly stipends and were working on translating religious texts into Brokskat, Changthang and Zanskari languages.

Questioning the purpose of the translation work, LBA representatives expressed concern that the material could later be distributed in these regions. They alleged that the project could be linked to efforts aimed at spreading Christian teachings in remote parts of Ladakh.

Christian Leaders Distance Themselves from Alleged Conversion Network

Representatives of the local Christian community in Leh on Thursday distanced themselves from the individuals recently questioned in connection with the alleged conversion-related operation in Skampari, asserting that the local Moravian Christian community had no involvement in the activities under investigation.

Addressing a separate press conference, Christian leaders responded to allegations raised by the Youth Wing of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, which had claimed that a group of non-local individuals was operating from a rented premises in Leh.

The Christian representatives clarified that the individuals reportedly associated with the project were unknown to the local Moravian Church leadership and had never approached or coordinated with them.

“We have no connection whatsoever with the people who were found at the premises. Neither the local church leadership nor the wider Moravian Christian community in Ladakh was aware of their activities,” the representatives said.

The Christian leaders emphasised the historical presence of the Moravian Church in Ladakh, tracing its roots back nearly 140 years. They highlighted the contributions of Moravian missionaries in the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture, handicrafts and women’s empowerment during the early years of their work in the region.

According to the speakers, the Moravian tradition has historically focused on social welfare and community development rather than religious conversion.

Eight Detained in Alleged Conversion Case

Meanwhile, Leh Police have detained eight persons for their suspected involvement in organised religious conversion-related activities in Ladakh.

Acting on credible information regarding alleged proselytisation activities in different parts of the Union Territory, police registered an FIR at Police Station Leh under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to officials, the accused are suspected of recruiting local youth for conversion-related activities in the regions of Zanskar, Changthang and the Aryan Valley.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the group had allegedly rented a residential premises in the Skampari area of Leh, where offices were reportedly set up for the translation and dissemination of religious literature. The premises are also suspected to have been used for activities linked to religious conversions.

Police said a detailed investigation has been launched to ascertain the scale and extent of the group’s operations across Ladakh. The inquiry is also examining possible financial transactions and any suspected foreign funding links.

Several laptops, digital devices and other materials have been seized as part of the investigation.

Officials said appropriate legal action would be taken based on the evidence collected and appealed to the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and refrain from spreading unverified information regarding the case.