Police arrest 7 Christians in India after alleged anti-conversion law violation

Just before Christmas, police have arrested seven Christians in Uttar Pradesh, India, following a complaint that they made derogatory comments against Hindu deities, according to Union of Catholic Asian (UCA) News.

UCA News reports that the arrests took place Dec. 13, after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, or World Hindu Council, reported the allegations to the police.

The pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janta Party runs the government in the northern state Uttar Pradesh. According to UCA News, before the Party amended the state’s anti-conversion law this year, only relatives or persons affected by the alleged violation could complain to the police. The amendment expands this, allowing anyone to report a complaint.

According to AsiaNews, the maximum penalties for violating this law have been broadened. Now, the maximum possible sentencing is life imprisonment, and the maximum fine has been raised by an additional 400,000 rupees. AsiaNews also reports that the seven Christians are “accused of ‘forced conversions’ at a house celebration.”

The group providing legal help to the arrested Christians told UCA News that they applied for bail Dec. 16.

A Christian identified as Pastor Jiyalal told UCA News that Christians in the region are experiencing fear.

“In most cases, we have found the allegations false,” he said. “There is fear among Christians as Christmas approaches.”

This article was originally published on https://catholicvote.org/police-arrest-christians-india-after-alleged-anti-conversion-law-violation/