Thirteen persons, including a blind couple and their three-year-old
son, were sent to jail in central India for allegedly violating a law
that forbid religious conversion through allurements and force. They were arrested under the MP Freedom of Religion Act and under section 153 A of the IPC.
Seven of the arrested, including the blind couple, were released from jail on Sunday in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, while the other six remain in jail. Their bail hearing is scheduled for today.
According to Pastor Suresh Mandlo, the Christians were arrested on January 14 and sent to jail the next day. They were invited by Shankar Singh, a resident of Dahar village to join a meal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti festival.
A group of men surrounded the house until police came and took the 13 away.
Singh has been quoted by mattersindia.com, “My guests were arrested and sent to jail for alleged conversion activity in my house even without any complaint from me.”
