Church leaders in Rajasthan have condemned what they describe as a baseless accusation of religious conversion filed against two pastors under the state’s newly implemented anti-conversion law.
Pastor Arun John of Beersheba Church in Kota and Pastor Chandy Varghese, founder of Zion Global Worship Centre in New Delhi, were named in one of the first police complaints lodged under the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025. The complaint was submitted by activists from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal.
According to the activists, the pastors carried out baptisms during a three-day prayer gathering held from 4 to 6 November at the Beersheba Church in Kota. Police have issued notices requiring both pastors to report to investigators and provide attendance lists, guest details, and all available video recordings of the event.
Pastor John has insisted that nothing unlawful took place, noting that recordings of the event are already publicly available. Local Christian representatives say the gathering was a routine time of prayer and worship attended solely by members of the Christian community.
John Mathew, president of the Rajasthan Christian Fellowship, said the allegation reflects a wider pattern of pressure on Christians in the state. He warned that ongoing hostility from hardline groups is making ordinary church life increasingly difficult.
Concerns about the new law are already before India’s Supreme Court. Bishop Joseph Kallarackal of Jaipur confirmed that the diocesan Catholic Welfare Society, along with other petitioners, has challenged the Act’s constitutionality. The Court has asked the state government to respond within a month.
Journalist and petitioner John Dayal criticised the authorities for acting on the complaint. He argued that Rajasthan has used the law to justify measures that, in his view, undermine constitutional protections for religious freedom. Dayal also noted that the rules for enforcing the Act were issued before the state governor had formally approved the legislation, an approval required for any bill to take effect.
Christian leaders say the law’s introduction has emboldened extremist groups, pointing to earlier incidents in which churches were attacked while police targeted Christians rather than the perpetrators.
Rajasthan is now the 12th state to enact a strict anti-conversion statute in the country. The law introduces severe penalties for anyone found guilty of converting another person through coercion, inducement, misrepresentation, marriage, or any fraudulent means. Sentences can reach 20 years’ imprisonment for offences involving vulnerable groups, and even life sentences in cases labelled as “mass conversions.” Fines range from one million to five million rupees.
The legislation also includes penalties of up to 14 years in prison if marriage is judged to have been used as a means of conversion.
Adapted from UCA News.
