Two Pentecostal Christians arrested for 'forced conversions' in Uttar Pradesh
Rev Gyan Singh and fellow Pentecostal Rambhajan will be released this afternoon without charges. Villagers were "instigated to falsely accuse them of forced conversions." For Christian leader, the Constitution "consecrates the rights [of all confessions] and allows people to announce their faith”.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) "condemns the arrest and imprisonment of two Pentecostal Christians on the basis of allegations made of forced conversions in a village in Uttar Pradesh,” Sajan K George, president of the Christian group, told AsiaNews.
Last night, police in Dubolia jailed Rev Gyan Singh and fellow Pentecostal Rambhajan after "some villagers were instigated to falsely accuse them of forced conversions".
The GCIC leader noted that the incident occurred whilst the two Christians were visiting a village in Bugauliya Block, Basti district.
The accusers acted “on the basis of mere suspicion and got together to cause great confusion. At that point, the police took the innocent Christians to the station, where they accused them of disturbing the peace."
Law enforcement officials told the GCIC that the two Pentecostals were going to be released this afternoon, without any formal charges against them.
Sajan K George insisted that the two "Pentecostal Christians were not disturbing the peace. Villagers falsely accused them and caused a ruckus. This is why those innocent and vulnerable Christians were taken into custody."
The CGIC president explained that the Constitution "consecrates the rights [of all confessions] and allows people to announce their faith without alluring or compelling anyone [else]. Yet the Pentecostals were quickly accused of forced conversions."
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20/09/2021 16:52
12/08/2021 13:47
