Two Christians were arrested and jailed after extremists disrupted a prayer meeting in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India on Sunday 26 April.
Both men were accused of unlawfully attempting to gain converts through force, fraud or allurement. The pair have since been released on bail.
The extremists forced their way into the building, confronting the congregation and eventually forcing the service to close.
A church building in Madhya Pradesh burned by extremists in in 2023 [Image credit: LICAS News]
The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, or “anti-conversion law”, prohibits seeking converts through force or coercion.
Thirteen Indian states have anti-conversion laws.
Extremists often wrongly believe that such laws criminalise all conversions from Hinduism, or even that they outlaw any form of Christian evangelism or worship.
The context for religious minorities in India is complex; some states are pursuing an aggressive anti-Christian agenda, while others promote tolerance and coexistence.
How you can pray
Pray that the Lord will protect our two brothers as they face these spurious accusations. Ask that justice will be done and that they will not face any further repercussions. Pray that the Holy Spirit will minister to the Christian community as they experience threats from extremists.
