Release International

Six recently baptised Christians were arrested in northern Orissa after Hindu activists accused them of converting to Christianity 'illegally'.

The six ethnic minority Christians, who had recently joined Good Shepherd Ministries in Mayurbhanj district, appeared in court but were released on bail, according to Release partner All India Christian Council (AICC).

Their pastor, Mannuel Mahapatra, was also arrested and accused of forcible conversion. Hindu extremists frequently level accusations of forcible conversion at pastors – but allegations against those who are converted are less common.

The state of Orissa has implemented anti-conversion legislation and its Freedom of Religion Act bans religious conversions without the prior permission of local police and a district magistrate.

In Karnataka state, nine members of the New India Church of God in Mysore were arrested last Sunday after Hindu extremists stormed the church. Attacks on individual Christians in Karnataka also continue. Four Christians were beaten and charged with 'outraging religious feelings' after distributing pamphlets in Nandimotte village on April 1.

NEWS UPDATE:
Afghan Christian Said Musa was released from prison in February after nine months in jail on apostasy charges (Prayer Alert, December 17, 2010). He was quietly granted asylum in Europe. This news supersedes Release's printed Prayer Shield entry for April 17, calling for prayer for his release.

(Sources: All India Christian Council, AsiaNews, Christian Today, Compass Direct)

• Pray that all charges will be dropped against the six Orissa Christians charged with illegal conversion. Pray that the Indian Government will do more to uphold individual citizens' religious rights, especially in states with anti-conversion legislation.
• Ask God to walk closely with Said Musa as he rebuilds his life abroad.

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