Christians call for end to India's forced conversion laws

Burnt Bibles from the attacks on Christians in Manipur. (Photo: Open Doors) Release International, a UK-based Christian ministry, has used India’s national elections to renew calls for an end to anti-conversion laws, saying they have led to an increase in arrests of Christians and violence against believers. Almost a billion people will vote during India’s … Read more

SC upholds interim bail for university vice-chancellor in alleged forced religious conversion case

Central Wing of the Supreme Court of India where the Chief Justice’s courtroom is situated. (Photo: Subhashish Panigrahi/Wikimedia Commons) In a significant ruling, India’s Supreme Court on Monday dismissed an application filed by the State of Uttar Pradesh seeking to recall the interim bail granted to Dr Rajendra Bihari Lal, the Vice-Chancellor of Sam Higginbottom … Read more

Pakistani Christian teen released on bail in blasphemy case amid allegations of forced conversion

(Photo: Unsplash/Solen Feyissa) A Christian teenager arrested last week under Pakistan’s blasphemy law was released on bail yesterday, 14 March 2024, informed sources. The Attock police arrested 18-year-old Ashbeel Ghauri from his home, after his former classmate filed a complaint against him alleging that he disrespected Islam in Pakistan’s Punjab Province. “We praise God and … Read more

SC grants interim bail to SHUATS VC in conversion case, Allahabad HC judge recuses from related matter

(Photo: Pixabay) In a significant development, the Supreme Court on March 4 granted interim bail to Rajendra Bihari Lal, the Vice Chancellor of Uttar Pradesh’s Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), in a case of alleged illegal religious conversion. The apex court’s decision comes after the Allahabad High Court had not been … Read more

Concerns raised over church leaders facilitating migrants’ fake Christian conversion claims to stay in UK

(Photo: Unsplash/Jamie Street) Concerns are escalating in the U.K. over the authenticity of asylum seekers’ claims of converting to Christianity, with a notable case involving migrants on the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, Dorset. Reports indicate that a significant number of migrants housed on the barge are attending church services, sparking a debate on the … Read more

Two Christians' forced conversion and torture widely condemned in Pakistan

Lahore, Pakistan. (Photo: Unsplash/Adeel Shabir) An egregious incident of the forced conversion and torture of two Christian brothers in Pakistan’s Sialkot District has drawn widespread condemnation and outrage from the Christian community and human rights groups across the country. Azam and Nadeem George Masih, Christian brothers from Sialkot, Punjab, were abducted, beaten and forcefully converted … Read more

NCPCR alleges conversion, illegality and ‘missing girls’ against Christian Hostel in Bhopal

(Photo: Pixabay) A controversy erupted in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, when Priyank Kanoongo, the chairman of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), made sensational allegations of missing girls from a girl’s hostel run by a Christian organisation. The claims, posted on X.com on January 5, created a storm of concern, and prompted swift … Read more

Two pastors arrested, jailed under Unlawful Religious Conversion in Uttar Pradesh

(Photo: Pixabay) Two Christians were arrested and booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act for praying on New Year’s Eve in Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh. Pastor Arun Kumar and Pastor Ram Tahal gathered to pray on New Year’s Eve along with about 100 believers on December 31 in Ram … Read more

Madhya Pradesh High Court upholds refusal to renew recognition of Child Care Institution amidst allegations of abuse and conversion

A screen shot from a video taken on the day the Children’s Home facility was raided by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). (Photo: Courtesy of Dr. A Matney) In a recent verdict, the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Jabalpur Bench, has upheld the State’s decision to deny the renewal of recognition to … Read more

Staff and principal of school reportedly charged with conversion in UP

(Photo: Screenshot from World Orgs) Police in Uttar Pradesh booked a principal and 55 teachers at a Christian school under the state’s strict anti-conversion law last week, accusing the teachers of purportedly seeking to convert members of the Dalit and indigenous tribal populations. On October 30, the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion … Read more