India (MNN)—Across India, states are toughening up their anti-conversion laws, either adding to existing laws or passing new ones, limiting individuals’ ability to practice faiths besides Hinduism. 

Currently, about a dozen of India’s 28 states have anti-conversion laws, according to Greg Musselman of Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. Most of these laws have been implemented after Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took up power within the Indian government. 

“It is definitely intensifying,” says Musselman. “People are coming to the Lord, and then that can, you know, put these evangelists and pastors and those that have converted into great danger. But there’s also the daily aspect, the psyche within the Christians to keep their faith very quiet and silent. And that was not the case, you know, 10, 20 years ago, when you could be a Christian, you could meet openly, no problem.”

In the northern state of Uttarakhand, an amendment to the existing anti-conversion legislation was passed into law this past summer, introducing more stringent penalties along with a ban on digital propaganda

“Uttarakhand is the first state to include digital media, and this of course now is a major concern, because social media is used for evangelization. You know, Christians there want to share their faith.” 

In the state of Chhattisgarh’s capital, Raipur, more than 200 house churches were notified that worship gatherings within private homes are no longer permitted, restricting worship to officially registered buildings. 

“They allege these illegal conversions are taking place in these house churches, and the reality is that people are converting and coming to Jesus,” says Musselman. “One pastor was detained for violating that order, and then a legal petition objecting to the police directive has now been filed. There’s court hearings going on, and so it is putting pressure on the church.”

Anti-conversion laws can also make it illegal to use anything that could be considered allurement to convert others to Christianity. This can include preaching about heaven or hell—even caring for the poor and those who are dying would be considered “bribing people, because you’re showing compassion and kindness,” says Musselman. 

The impact, he says, is that “many Christians are being arrested. Leaders are being pressured. They’re stopping these house church meetings.”

“But the positive side is that the gospel is going forward. In spite of all these restrictions, these anti-conversion laws, the pressure and everything that’s happening, the gospel is still going forward. And, you know, our Indian brothers and sisters are aware that this is a spiritual battle and that they need to be praying. They need to be asking the Lord for wisdom.”

Spreading awareness is important, although Musselman acknowledges the voices of advocates are often drowned out by politics. Overall, he emphasizes the importance of prayer. 

“In terms of where we go now, is prayer. We need to be praying for our brothers and sisters, and then through that, really praying that God will give wisdom to our brothers and sisters in India.”

 

Header photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs Canada