If someone wanted to become a follower of Christ, should they have to get permission from the government? In India’s central state of Madhya Pradesh, government officials from the Jhabua District are making this demand. The state of Madhya Pradesh has a history of adopting policies favorable to Hindu nationalists. They believe people are “converting” from Hinduism either for monetary reasons or because they are being forced to do so.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), affiliated with the BJP party that is in power on a national level, has been pushing local and state governments to ban large prayer and evangelistic meetings unless people get permission from the government. Those who need healing or spiritual deliverance often attend these prayer meetings where Christian Believers pray for their needs. When God meets these needs, groups of people often accept Christ’s lordship. Hindu nationalists feel threatened when this happens.

Sources:

• The Hindustan Times, Action ordered against ‘conversion’ of tribals in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua. Friday, November 26, 2021
• The Indian Express, 3 states, 3 anti-conversion laws: what’s similar, what’s different. January 3, 2021