Photo: Wikimedia / Subhashish Panigrahi (CC)
A ruling issued on October 17th by India's Supreme Court has brought relief to several believers in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The court reviewed multiple cases filed against Christians under the state's anti-conversion law and ultimately dismissed all charges, stating that "the criminal law cannot be allowed to be made a tool of harassment of innocent persons."
The 158-page ruling examined critical deficiencies in each of the cases, including the absence of complaints from the so-called "victims" of the alleged conversions. The court referred to aspects of Uttar Pradesh's 2021 anti-conversion legislation as "onerous" and "intrusive," although it clarified that the constitutionality of the law itself was not being ruled upon at this time.
In a separate statement, the Supreme Court announced on November 3rd that it will hear two formal petitions challenging the anti-conversion legislation that recently passed in several of the country's states. Prior to this announcement, the court had issued notices to the respective state governments in September, requesting their official responses regarding the existing anti-conversion law. (For further information about the issued notices, see VOMC's previously published report.)
- Praise God that the mentioned cases in Uttar Pradesh have been overturned, resulting in the dismissal of all charges against these innocent Christians.
- Pray for the many other previously convicted followers of Jesus in India who are still awaiting court decisions. May God's peace guard their hearts and minds, and may His strength continually sustain them as they face uncertainty amid the ongoing legal challenges.
- Ask the Lord to sovereignly guide the Supreme Court justices as they consider the broader implications of the country's anti-conversion law, leading them to seek a path that will both uphold justice and protect religious freedom.
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