Five Christians arrested on conversion charges

Allegations of "forced conversion", last week, led to the arrest of five Christians in Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) reported that Hindu extremists on May 7 barged into a prayer meeting attended by members of Jeevan Lal Church and Campus Crusade for Ministry and injured some of the attendees.

According to Rev. Akhilesh Edgar, an EFI correspondent, the intruders accused the Christians of forceful conversion and indulged in verbal abuse and physical attack, leaving one seriously injured and few others with minor bruises.

Police eventually arrived at the spot and arrested the Christians under Section 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code "for malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs."

On Friday, EFI said, the Christians were presented in the court and a bail was granted.

Last week, there were at least four incidents of anti-Christian violence reported from different states. Chattisgarh was one of the states that bore the brunt.

50 Hindu extremists from the 'Chhattisgarh Sikh Youth Federation' accused a Christian of forceful conversion and assaulted him on April 30 in Raipur.

Jaspal Singh Saluja, the victim, was dragged out from his house and beaten mercilessly by the extremists, EFI reported, adding Saluja has refused to file a police complaint and has chosen to forgive the assailants.

Following the incident, leaders of EFI and Chhattisgarh Christian Forum met political and social leaders urging for peace and harmony among communities.