India (MNN) – Maharashtra’s new anti-conversion law is barely a month old, and it’s already facing a constitutional challenge.

The surprise? The challenge didn’t come from Christians.

An Islamic scholar filed a petition in mid-September challenging the law, which went into effect August 28. The case could bring renewed scrutiny to anti-conversion laws across India and whether they violate constitutional protections for religious freedom.

One concern is how the law defines illegal “allurement” to change someone’s religion. Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA says even church hospitality could come under scrutiny.

(Photo courtesy of VOM USA)

“If your church has donuts and coffee before the service, they can point to that as an allurement. ‘Oh, you’re giving away free food in order to convert people to Christianity.'” Nettleton says, “You know, my church has donuts and coffee before the service! I don’t consider it an allurement. I think it’s part of our fellowship time.”

Indian Christians are already taking precautions.

Nettleton explains, “There are something like 4,000 churches across Mumbai that are asking everybody who comes to church to sign a form saying, ‘Hey, I’m here of my own free will. Nobody forced me to be here.’”

But that paper trail could create another vulnerability. “You can certainly foresee a situation where Hindu nationalist groups, which have influence within the government, would gain access to that paper trail and be able to look at those forms and say, ‘Oh, wait, that’s a Hindu name. Why is this person going to church?’ It’s very easy to see how that could be a tool to bring more pressure to bear on some of these Christian brothers and sisters.”

Elsewhere in India, Christian leaders are already suffering the consequences of anti-conversion laws.

(Photo courtesy of VOM USA)

“There are pastors in jail right now,” says Nettleton. “They are suffering. They are under immense pressure in those situations. Yet, we hear stories repeatedly of pastors witnessing for Christ in prison and other prisoners hearing about Jesus and choosing to follow Him!”

Pray for India’s courts as challenges to anti-conversion laws move forward. Nettleton says, “They need the courage of their convictions. They need the courage to pursue the truth and pursue justice. So let’s pray for the court as they consider these cases.”

Learn more about VOM’s ministry to the persecuted Church.

Header photo courtesy of VOM USA.