Seven pastors were convicted under the anti-conversion law of Madhya Pradesh, India, after a legal battle that lasted for more than two years.
In a judgement delivered on 12 June, each pastor was given the maximum prison term of five years. Each man also received a fine of 100,000 thousand rupees (approximately $1,750).
They were first arrested in April 2024 after they were among the guests at a child’s birthday party.
Members of the Christian community in Madhya Pradesh meet for prayer
A Barnabas Aid project partner named the seven as Amit Kumar (24 years old), Chhot Singh Dhurve (49), Jeet Singh Dhurve (48), Karan Singh Maravi (40), Pramod (28), Sanjay Markam (20) and Santosh Paraste (22).
“May the Lord protect them, provide for their daily needs, strengthen their families, and surround them with His peace, comfort and unfailing care,” said our partner.
“Pray that their testimony will remain strong and that they will continue to trust in God despite the challenges they face.”
Mob attack at child’s birthday party
The seven men are all residents of a village in Madhya Pradesh.
A Christian couple had invited a small number of friends and relatives to their home in the village to celebrate their daughter’s fifth birthday on 27 April 2024.
The party was disrupted when a mob of between 100 and 150 extremists surrounded the house, barring the guests in the house and shouting threats and slogans.
A church building in Madhya Pradesh burned by extremists in in 2023 [Image credit: LICAS News]
One of the guests called the police, who were able to calm the crowd but arrested only the seven pastors.
The girl’s parents were also questioned the following day. Although they confirmed that the gathering was a purely social occasion, the pastors were then charged under the anti-conversion law.
The Madhya Pradesh anti-conversion law – officially, Freedom of Religion Bill – 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.
How you can pray
Please join Barnabas Aid’s project partner in asking the Lord to strengthen our brothers as they endure imprisonment. Pray that He will also draw near through the Holy Spirit to their wives, children and other family members as they also endure severe trial. Ask the Lord to sustain those churches now left without their pastors. Cry out for justice to be done for our wrongly accused brothers in Christ.
