Christians assaulted, detained by local authorities in Madhya Pradesh

Two independent evangelists were assaulted and detained by local authorities in Bethul district, Madhya Pradesh, the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) has reported.

Lakhan Pawar and Shailendre Pawar were severely beaten up and arrested under Sections 295/A & 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with offenses relating to deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feeling of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

"Report suggests that evangelists were beaten up and Lakhan needed to be hospitalised," EFI stated.

"The evangelists were later released on bail. In the First Information Report (FIR) against the evangelists, the names of senior Christian leader, Dr. Victor Choudhary and his daughter, Manjula were also mentioned," EFI stated. "The FIR alleges that Dr. Choudhary and his daughter are involved in conversion work."

According to sources close to the development, local media channels have been airing news reports against senior Christian leader Dr. Victor Choudhary suggesting that he is operating a "conversion" bazaar.

EFI has urged Christians nationwide to pray for the safety of these two evangelists and Dr. Victor Choudhary and his daughter.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) is a national alliance of evangelical Christians and is a central network of evangelicals in India. It exists to empower and mobilize the local churches, church related institutions and individual Christians for effective witness for Christ.