Madhya Pradesh Christians Sentenced to Hard Labor Under Anti-Conversion Law

A court in Madhya Pradesh, India sentenced seven Christian men to five years of rigorous imprisonment with hard labor and a fine of INR 100,000 each after finding them guilty of forced conversions at a birthday party in Dindori district. The incident began on 27 April 2024 when a mob of 100‑150 Hindu nationalists surrounded the home of host Suday Singh Maravi, accusing the guests of attempting to convert attendees to Christianity. Police dispersed the mob without charging the aggressors but arrested the seven men, some of whom are pastors. The prosecution alleged financial inducements, while the host maintained the gathering was purely a private celebration. The court dismissed the defense and imposed the maximum penalty permitted under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, highlighting the growing use of anti‑conversion statutes to target Christians in several Indian states.