The Madhya Pradesh High Court has allowed the Christian community in Khargone district to go ahead with its annual religious convention, pulling up local authorities for denying permission on what the court called “frivolous grounds”.
Pastor Tana Solanki, organiser of the Atmik Jagrati Mahotsav (Spiritual Awakening Convention), had approached the Indore bench of the High Court after repeated rejections from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Khargone. The convention, held peacefully for over five years, was initially scheduled for 16 to 18 May 2025 in Gram Sirvel, Bhagwanpura Tehsil.
The SDM denied the first application citing “India-Pakistan tensions” as the reason. Solanki postponed the event to 19–21 May, but authorities rejected it again, this time over concerns that the programme could involve religious conversions.
Challenging the administration’s reasoning, Solanki filed Writ Petition 19898 of 2025 under Article 226 of the Constitution, arguing that the denials were arbitrary and violated the community’s constitutional right to religious freedom.
Justice Subodh Abhyankar, who heard the matter, noted in the 16 June order that the programme had a peaceful track record and there was no substantial basis for the apprehensions raised by officials. The court directed Solanki to file a fresh application with revised dates. “If such an application is filed,” the order reads, “the respondent shall allow the same and also provide proper security as and when required, and shall not reject the same on frivolous grounds”.
Advocates involved in the case, including Dr Vivek Pandey representing Solanki, argued that recent refusals reflect a growing trend of denying Christian gatherings on vague or unsubstantiated pretexts. The state, represented by Government Advocate Bhuwan Deshmukh, stated that fresh dates could be considered as per law.
Speaking after the order, Solanki said, “We feel relieved and happy,” and alleged that the administration’s actions were part of a larger strategy to stifle religious freedom under the current pro-Hindu BJP-led state government.
Pastor Kiran Badole, also from Khargone, echoed similar experiences. Speaking to media outlets he said that his own convention was blocked in 2023 over alleged concerns of conversion and law and order, despite no such incidents in previous years.
A separate incident in April saw the High Court intervene to permit a Christian convention in Jhabua district after district authorities denied approval.
Madhya Pradesh is among 12 Indian states with anti-conversion laws. Christian leaders claim these are often misused by right-wing groups to target peaceful gatherings and accuse pastors of forced conversions.
