Kashmir pastor released on bail

Rev CM Khanna, who was arrested by the Jammu & Kashmir police on alleged charges of religious conversion, was released on bail yesterday, Nov. 30.

"Rev Khanna was released on bail as a result of prayers and wishes. After days of trying to move the bail application and fighting the objections raised by the Bar Association in Srinagar, his bail was sanctioned today (Wednesday)," informed CNI Bishop of Amritsar Diocese, PK Samantaroy.

On Nov. 20, the J&K police arrested Rev Khanna, accusing him of forcing Muslim youth for conversion from Islam to Christianity.

The Presbyter-in-charge of the All Saints Church in Srinagar, Rev Khanna, spent about 10 days in police custody at Kothi Bagh police station, and was released on a bond of Rs 25,000.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) on Wednesday welcomed the news and asked Christians to pray for peace in the Valley.

"Pray for peace to prevail in the Kashmir and harmony to be maintained. Pray also for the political and religious leadership as they continue to work for peace and prosperity of the state and nation," said the general secretary of EFI, Rev Dr Richard Howell.

The 64-year-old Khanna was arrested after a video surfaced last month in which Khanna was allegedly shown baptising at least six Muslim and one Hindu youth.

Later, the CNI priest was summoned by the Mufti-E-Azam (or the Grand Mufti) of the state to appear before a Sharia Court to answer charges of conversion.

The head of the Sharia court in Kashmir, Mufti Mohd Bashiruddin, told media that the pastor was found guilty of the charges and even had "confessed" to his crime.

The Bishop of Amritsar Diocese, PK Samantaroy, however believes Rev Khanna was framed as the converts were attending the Church for over a year.

"Rev Khanna has been pastoring in the area for more than 7 years. And these converts had approached the pastor for baptism by their own freewill. In such cases, the Church cannot deny baptism," said Bishop Samantaroy.

Denying media reports, Bishop Samantaroy said the pastor had truthfully admitted he had baptised the converts, but not of having offered money.

Meanwhile, upset over the recent turn of events, Muslim scholars in Kashmir have challenged Christian missionaries for an inter-faith debate in the presence of an independent committee.

Renowned religious scholar Dr Nazir Ahmad Zargar, according to Kashmir Dispatch, expressed concern over suspected Christian missionary activities in the Valley and accused pastors of luring youth through rewards.

He called for an open debate on the issue.