Christians Arrested as Anti-Conversion Laws Increase in India

Over a dozen Christians were arrested on charges of conversion activities in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, in the last two months as the High Court rules that religious conversion is unconstitutional.

Throughout the month of June, at least twelve Christians were arrested across the state. The arrests included two pastors. 

Most of them seem to have been arrested while in house prayer meetings, having been reported to police by local villagers, reports UCAN.

In July, the Allahabad High Court in Uttar Pradesh ruled that conversions at religious gatherings could lead to the majority population of India becoming a minority. “Such religious congregations should be immediately stopped where the conversion is taking place and changing religion of citizens of India”, the Court said.

Uttar Pradesh is one of India’s 11 states with an anti-conversion law, prohibiting any attempt to force someone to convert to another religion (other than Hinduism) through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by fraudulent means. 

However, research has shown that the majority of police reports are based on complaints by Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) groups to target Christians.

According to local Christians and Open Doors’ partners, the reason for the increase in arrests is because the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost significantly in recent elections, something both the party and radical Hindu groups did not expect. “A revengeful drive has led to increased atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities”, one partner said. “The anti-conversion laws are misused and Christians are arrested on false charges.”

In recent years anti-conversion laws have been used by BJP supporters to settle personal scores and promote a Hindu nationalist agenda.

Rajasthan could become the 12th state to implement such laws, as the government has said such plans are in place. Local sources tell Open Doors that with BJP leader Bhajan Lal Sharma as the state’s Chief Minister, the bill could be implemented soon.

Protests against attacks

Meanwhile, tribal Christians in Chhattisgarh state took to the street in June to protest against violent attacks by militant Hindu groups. They walked in silence while holding placards reading “We will not tolerate insults in the name of religion” and “Stop violence against Christians”.

Chhattisgarh has a sizable community of tribal Christians, approximately 30% of the population, and Hindu nationalist groups are pressuring them into converting back to Hinduism.

In February the state’s government announced its intention to tighten its anti-conversion law.

Near the end of 2022, more than 1000 tribal Christians were forced from their homes after a series of violent attacks on their villages.

India ranks at number 11 on the 2024 World Watch List.

Pray

Please be in prayer for Christians in India who are fearing for their safety as anti-conversion laws are tightening.

• Pray that all those who have been arrested will be freed with no complications.
• Pray that India’s government would move away from anti-conversion laws
• Pray that Christians would maintain a positive testimony within the nation.