A court in India has rejected the claim that eight Christian pastors who accompanied dozens of children to a summer camp were kidnapping and forcibly converting them to Christianity
Alliance Defending Freedom International’s branch in India said the ruling “marks a groundbreaking win for Christians in India and highlights the false accusations and hostilities directed at religious minorities there.”
The case began in 2017 when police detained the pastors and others at a train station in Madhya Pradesh. The adults were accompanying 60 children to a summer camp in a neighboring state. The children were sent back to their homes, but the pastors and most of their coworkers were held in jail for three months.
“Nobody should be persecuted because of their faith,” said Tehmina Arora, director of ADF India.
“We are grateful that this group of Christians have been acquitted of the crimes they were so unjustly accused of. They were targeted and falsely accused simply because they are part of a religious minority. The Indian Constitution guarantees the freedom to practice and share one’s faith. Sadly, despite that, such cases are not isolated incidents,” Arora said.
“Victory for the pastors in this case, however, brings comfort to all Christians and other religious minorities facing harassment and hostility.”
Violence against Christians in India, which rarely draws attention from police, has risen significantly in the last year, the report said.
United Christian Forum and ADF India documented more than 300 incidents of harassment and mob violence against Christians, the report said.
“A mob will arrive at a prayer meeting or Christian gathering, shout abuse and harassment, and beat up those in attendance, including women and children. Then, the pastors or priests are usually arrested by the police under false allegations of forced conversions,” the report said.
“This case provides a telling example of the challenges faced by many Christians in India,” said Paul Coleman, the executive director of ADF International. “The acquittal shows that the fundamental rights of religious minorities can and should be protected in the courtroom and through effective legal advocacy. Sadly, the recent violence and mob attacks testify to what many Christians and other religious minorities experience in India today.
“All people have the right to freely choose and live out their faith. We urge the Indian government to uphold this right and do more to protect religious minorities and promote religious freedom.”
