A confidential investigation by the Income Tax Department has revealed a disturbing trend of radical Islamic expansion along the Indo-Nepal border. The report, sent to the Union Home Ministry earlier this month, has prompted central security agencies and the Uttar Pradesh government to take swift action.
Sources say several madrasas and mosques funded by religious institutions based in South India have been demolished following the revelations.
According to the findings, a massive flow of untraceable funds — much like the financial trail behind the Pulwama terror attack — has been detected in the border districts. These funds, often sent through thousands of small UPI transactions, were allegedly used for illegal religious conversions and the construction of mosques, madrasas, and shrines.
The investigation began in February this year when the Lucknow unit of the Income Tax Department raided locations in districts bordering Nepal, such as Balrampur, Bahraich, Shravasti, and Siddharthnagar, acting on intelligence about the exchange of demonetized Rs 2,000 notes. The raids uncovered UPI-based fund transfers amounting to over Rs 150 crore to accounts flagged as suspicious.
One such account, held by a resident of Balrampur from the Muslim community, received nearly Rs 12 crore from a religious trust in Tamil Nadu. Officials believe this is part of a broader nexus involving illegal funding to change the demography and social fabric of the border region.
Systematic demographic shift suspected
The IT department suspects a systematic demographic shift is being orchestrated. Villages along the border have shown a marked increase in Muslim population over the past 15 years, with a corresponding decrease in Hindu population. Authorities believe this migration and settlement pattern is part of a larger agenda to alter the region’s demography.
The raids, conducted in areas like Raxaul, Rupaidih, Badhni, and Koilabasa, have reinforced these fears. Many of these settlements are now under surveillance by central intelligence agencies.
Home Ministry on alert, Intelligence Bureau steps in
After receiving the report, the Union Home Ministry swung into action, sending senior officials to conduct field visits in coordination with the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Based on their feedback, the Uttar Pradesh government initiated a crackdown, razing illegally built mosques, madrasas, and dargahs in sensitive areas.
Simultaneously, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been tasked with investigating the foreign funding angle, while the Income Tax Department is extending its probe to suspicious institutions in South India.
Crackdown on Chhangur Network
The Income Tax Department's report has also intensified the focus on radical elements like Jamaluddin alias Chhangur, who was arrested earlier for his alleged role in illegal religious conversions and anti-national activities.
Although the UP Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) had begun probing Chhangur’s activities more than a year ago — with an FIR registered in November 2024 — officials failed to take substantial action until recently. Sources now confirm that the recent crackdown, which includes his close associates, was launched following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The developments point to a larger conspiracy aimed at religious radicalisation and demographic engineering in India’s border districts. As investigations deepen, more arrests and demolitions are likely in the coming weeks.
