Seven Indian Christians Sentenced to Prison in 'Forced Conversion' Case

Seven Christians in India's Madhya Pradesh state were sentenced to prison after being convicted in a case involving allegations of forced religious conversion.

The case concerned a birthday gathering, according to International Christian Concern. Authorities alleged that the Christians were involved in forcibly converting people to Christianity.

The Christians denied the allegations.

The case illustrates a growing legal issue for Christian organizations in several Indian states: anti-conversion laws.

These laws vary from state to state and generally prohibit religious conversion through force, fraud or improper inducement. Christian organizations argue that such laws can be used against legitimate Christian evangelism and prayer meetings, while supporters say the laws are intended to prevent coercive conversion.

India's legal landscape is therefore important to distinguish from incidents involving direct physical attacks. Some Christians face pressure through arrests, investigations and legal proceedings rather than attacks on churches.

ICC reported that the seven Christians' convictions followed a legal battle and that the case has become part of wider concerns over India's anti-conversion laws.