- The Indian population was fearful of the intentions of the British government towards the religion of the common people.
- The increased activity of the Christian missionaries was seen skeptically by the people. They felt disrespectful by the way these missionaries mocked the Hindu religion for the numerous gods and goddesses that were worshipped.
- The socially and economically backward classes had long been subjected the discrimination by the elite. Thus for them the ideas propagandized by the missionaries were a way to escape their abysmal situation. The weak sections of society gradually started converting to Christianity. This step further strengthened the fears of the people.
- Apart from being a cause of fear, religion also led to widespread resentment towards the British. The British had introduced taxes on entry into temples and mosques. The conservationists were outraged by this step taken by the British government.
- There were also rumours that the British had polluted sugar and mixed ground bullock's bones with flour. Indians started to fear that this step would cause them to go against their religion.