Indian state begins arresting Christians and Muslims under new anti-conversion law
The central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh registered 23 cases against Christians and Muslims in the first 23 days of the country’s newest and most severe anti-conversion law, International Christian Concern reports. The government of Madhya Pradesh is dominated by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, the current ruling party in India.
The Freedom of Religion Ordinance, a Madhya Pradesh anti-conversion law, was enacted on January 9 with the expressed intention of preventing citizens from being coerced into changing their religion, ICC reports.
In a statement to the Times of India, Home Minister Narottam Mishra said: “Twenty-three cases were registered under the newly passed Freedom of Religion Ordinance 2020 in January in Madhya Pradesh. We maintain that this is a serious issue and such forces are active across the country. An effort has been taken in Madhya Pradesh to stop them.”...