India (MNN) – One detail in Maharashtra’s new anti-conversion law looks like a win for religious freedom. But looks can be deceiving.

The western Indian state became the 13th in the country to enact an anti-conversion law when the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act took effect August 28. The law prohibits religious conversions through force, fraud, coercion, or allurement.

(Photo courtesy of Srimathi Jayaprakash/Unsplash)

John Pudaite with Bibles For The World explains, “Under prior laws, anybody could make the accusation and alarm the police and bring them to the site…. Now it has to be a relative.”

At first, limiting accusation sources to family members might seem like protection for Christians against harassment by Hindu nationalist groups.

However, Pudaite says, “It actually isn’t because that was where things were getting struck down in the courts. You know, who is this person and what’s his interest in triggering this investigation?”

Now, Pudaite believes Maharashtra lawmakers are trying to close that legal loophole.

“They’re trying to do this to make things [for anti-conversion cases] a little tighter, maybe, to have something stick in the court.”

For Indian Christians, it goes beyond the courtroom. Now, they’re vulnerable to forced conversion accusations from those closest to them.

Children in India read the Bible in their heart language. (Photo courtesy of Bibles For The World)

“As we see this rise against the body of Christ with all these anti-conversion laws – with the persecution on the increase, nearing two and a half violent incidents per day on average,” says Pudaite.

“At the same time we see we have more requests for Scriptures than ever before from India! It’s just amazing how resilient the body of Christ is there and how strong they are in their faith.”

As churches navigate the new law, he urges, “We need to continue to pray for them that they’ll be strong in their faith and true to their calling to come together to worship the Lord, to praise the Lord, [and] to gather in churches and prayer meetings.”

Pray specifically for Indian believers facing family opposition because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Ask God to strengthen pastors and Christian leaders as they continue sharing the Gospel.

 

Header photo courtesy of Bibles For The World.