In recent years, the integrity of government schemes designed to uplift marginalized communities in Bharat has come under scrutiny, revealing a troubling trend of misuse and corruption. This article based on a compilation of news events highlights eight alarming incidents between 2018 and 2025, where public funds intended for welfare were diverted for illegal activities, including religious conversions and extremist financing. These cases not only underscore the vulnerabilities within the system but also raise critical questions about accountability and oversight in the management of taxpayer resources. As we delve into these incidents, it becomes evident that the misuse of government funds poses a significant threat to social harmony, national security, and the very fabric of democracy itself.

These incidents, revealed on March 27, 2025, span multiple states and involve diverse schemes, raising concerns about the misuse of public resources.

Islamist radical activities

1. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scam (Rajasthan, March 27, 2025): In Pali, Rajasthan, approximately 29,000 fake accounts were created under Muslim names in Hindu villages to fraudulently withdraw ₹7 crore from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme. The funds were reportedly intended for Islamic Jihad. Authorities allegedly suppressed the information in 2020 under pressure from the Gehlot government.

2. Al-Qaeda Funding (Delhi, November 16, 2024): An “al-Qaeda-inspired terror module” allegedly planned to collect funds for jihad through the PM-Kisan scheme. Individuals were recruited to apply for the scheme, with the intention of using the government-provided funds to finance terror activities.

3. Religious Conversion via Sign Language Interpreters (Delhi, September 13, 2024): Maulana Umar Gautam, associated with the Bharatiya Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), a government training center, allegedly orchestrated a religious conversion network targeting disabled children. He reportedly brainwashed children with hearing disabilities and converted them to Islam.

4. Forced Conversion Under Marriage Scheme (Chhattisgarh, March 29, 2023): A Hindu woman was allegedly coerced into marriage with a Muslim man in a conversion-nikah ceremony organized under the Chief Minister Kanya Vivah scheme in Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh. The woman’s father claimed she was brainwashed.

5. Scholarship Tampering (Kerala, December 27, 2018): Babul Hussain, a data entry operator, was arrested for hacking a National Informatics Centre (NIC) website and siphoning approximately ₹5 crore by manipulating the beneficiary list for post-matric central scholarships for minorities.

Evangelical activities

6. Misuse of Food Aid for Conversions (Chhattisgarh, November 16, 2024): Christian missionaries in Chhattisgarh are accused of misusing rice distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and the state government’s Annapurna Yojana for religious conversions. They allegedly collect rice from poor families and sell it, generating substantial income.

7. Church Construction with Government Funds (Odisha, August 29, 2024): A church was renovated at a cost of ₹4 lakh in Balishankara, Odisha, using funds from the Chief Minister’s Special Assistance Scheme. It’s alleged that individuals involved in conversions organized free health camps to identify vulnerable people and convert them under the guise of treatment.

8. Converted Residence (Chhattisgarh, February 28, 2024): In Chhattisgarh, a house built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana was allegedly converted into a church, where a mass conversion of tribal community members to Christianity took place.

Implications of these illegal activities

These incidents reveal significant implications stemming from the misuse of government funds in Bharat. The misuse of funds for religious conversions and radical activities exacerbates communal tensions, threatening societal cohesion. Targeting vulnerable groups (e.g., disabled children, tribal communities) for conversions highlights exploitation of marginalized populations. Genuine beneficiaries of government schemes are deprived due to fraudulent activities, worsening economic inequality and poverty.

Systemic misuse of public funds undermines public trust in government schemes and institutions. Importantly, the misuse of funds for jihad-related activities poses a direct threat to national security, necessitating tighter scrutiny of beneficiaries. Furthermore, exploitation of government resources for illegal purposes raises ethical questions about the misuse of taxpayer money.

Recommendations to control such illegal activities using government funds

Based on the findings regarding the misuse of government funds, several recommendations can be proposed to mitigate illegal activities effectively:

1. Formation of independent oversight committees: States should establish independent committees to oversee the use of government funds, similar to the three-member committee directed by the Bombay High Court to ensure compliance with advertising policies.
2. Enhancements in data security: Utilize technology, such as artificial intelligence, for real-time monitoring and verification of beneficiaries in schemes like PM-Kisan and AB-PMJAY to prevent fraudulent claim.
3. Review of existing laws: Reassess laws like the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to take action against defaulters.
4. Strengthening anti-corruption agencies: Empower agencies like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) with greater authority to investigate corruption cases and protect whistleblowers.

Implementing such recommendations may significantly reduce the risk of illegal activities involving government funds, ensuring that resources are used effectively for their intended purposes.