Church vandalized after two Christians accused of proselytizing in India
“These anti-conversion laws are tools for intimidating, mistreating, and frightening the tiny Christian community,” Sajan K. George, President of the Global Council of Indian Christians said. “They are used by local politicians and extremists for simple political reasons.”
According to Asia News, a radical Hindu nationalist group vandalized a church in India’s Jharkhand state after two Christian teachers from the church were accused of proselytizing. The incident took place on June 22.
The church has a congregation of 16 families, mainly from Belagadia village. Kaina Pansal and Sushant Pradhan, the two accused, teach in the village where Hindu radicals along with local politicians claim they converted local families to Christianity.
The two Christian teachers were arrested and interrogated by the police under the charges of conversion. The district administration sent a report to the state government.
Forced religious conversions are condemned by law and can be punished up to three years in prison and 50 thousand rupees ($661.00 USD) in fines.
For individuals seeking to convert to another religion in Jharkhand they must receive authorization from district authorities.
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