[Today's Prayer] 7 Christians in Madhya Pradesh, India Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Violating Anti-Conversion Law

In Madhya Pradesh, India, seven Christians, including six pastors and one lay believer, have been sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly violating the anti-conversion law.

The seven individuals were convicted on June 12 (local time) under the Indian Penal Code for charges including "promoting hostility, hatred, and discord between religious groups" and "deliberate and malicious acts intended to insult religious sentiments," as well as violations of Madhya Pradesh's law prohibiting fraudulent or forced religious conversions. A local source told Morning Star News (MSN), "As a result of this case, six churches have been closed and believers have been scattered."

Those arrested include six pastors: Santosh Parasete (21), Sanjay Markam (20), Amit Kumar (24), Pramod Singh (28), Karan Singh Maravi (40), and Chhot Singh Durve (49), all residents of Diwari village, as well as Jit Singh (48), a resident of Pipariya village in Dindori district. They were arrested after attending the five-year-old birthday celebration of Sudai Singh Maravi's daughter on April 27, 2024, following a complaint filed by their neighbor Angad Singh Maravi.

The initial First Information Report (FIR) was filed on April 28, 2024. Judge Shiv Kumar Kaushal of the Dindori Second Additional District Court sentenced each of them on June 12 to five years in prison and a fine of 100,000 rupees (approximately $1,200 USD), ordering them to be imprisoned at Dindori Prison.

During the trial, Sudai Singh Maravi, the host of the birthday party, testified that there had been no activities encouraging Christian conversion at his home. He stated, "I did not invite Angad Singh Maravi to the party. The previous night, Angad had offered alcohol to villagers, caused disturbances at the celebration, and threatened to assault the attendees, so I reported him to the police." However, after arriving at the scene, the police arrested the seven Christians rather than Angad.

The complainant, Angad Singh Maravi, claimed that he lived next to Sudai Singh Maravi's family and that Christians had repeatedly visited the village encouraging people to convert. He stated, "When the pastors arrived, I heard statements encouraging conversion," and claimed that "the village head and deputy head also testified that they heard similar statements."

A sibling of one of the defendants, speaking anonymously, criticized the ruling, saying, "Even though the couple who hosted the party denied that anyone had been lured or pressured to convert, the testimony of an outsider who was not invited to the party was accepted."

The six pastors were arrested on April 28, 2024, and Jit Singh was arrested the following day. According to sources, Jit Singh's family was the first family in Pipariya village to convert to Christianity about seven years ago.

Kumar and Jit Singh were granted bail on May 6, 2024, and the remaining five were released on May 9.

(Article excerpt omitted)

Although bail is possible during the appeal process after a conviction, the total bail amount for all seven individuals was set at 700,000 rupees (approximately $8,400 USD). Christian leader Rakesh Rajidhwar from the Dindori region told Morning Star News, "This amount is a significant burden for the families of the defendants," adding, "We plan to apply for bail as soon as the funds are secured."

This case is the second conviction under the anti-conversion law in Madhya Pradesh. Previously, in March 2024, the Sagar District Court convicted Ramesh Ahirwar and his wife under the same law.

According to the 2026 World Watch List published by the Christian persecution monitoring organization Open Doors, India ranked 12th in the world for Christian persecution. This is a significant increase compared to its ranking of 31st in 2013, before Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power.

Source: Christian Today

"Peter was therefore kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the prison. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. 'Quick, get up!' he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists." (Acts 12:5-7)

We hear the heartbreaking news that in Madhya Pradesh, India, six pastors and one lay believer were arrested after attending the five-year-old birthday celebration of a villager's daughter and have been sentenced to five years in prison under accusations of violating the anti-conversion law.

Lord, even though the host of the birthday celebration testified that there had been no activities encouraging Christian conversion, the police of India and unjust laws that imprisoned Your servants based only on the complainant's testimony, despite his own disruptive behavior and threats at the party, would You reform these laws and open a way for repentance.

With six churches closed and believers scattered because of this incident, please look with mercy upon the scattered believers and the imprisoned pastors and lay brother. Help them to gather together even more earnestly, and when they pray, grant them again the miracle of prison doors being opened.

As bail is possible during the appeal process after their conviction, but the financial burden is too great for the families to bear alone, may the Indian church and the global church provide support. As prayers are lifted up, send Your heavenly angels and strengthen these weary brothers to overcome.

As the return of Jesus Christ draws near and the barriers to spreading the gospel grow higher, with imprisonment of believers becoming more frequent, may You open closed doors through the prayers of the church and deliver these brothers, allowing the church to witness that no power of hell can overcome it.

Therefore, may India send one million missionaries along the Asian Highway!