INDIA: Supreme Court to Review Anti-Conversion Laws

Source: Morning Star News

Pastor Nandan Singh Bisht, the first Christian charged under Uttarakhand’s 2018 Religious Freedom Act, was acquitted after a four-year legal battle.  He was arrested in 2021 following a prayer gathering at his home, accused of attempting to convert poor and marginalized villagers through “allurement.”
Despite no concrete evidence or named victims, Pastor Bisht endured eight days in custody, four

Christians in India are praying while
participating in a protest against the
government's persecution of Christians. 

years of trial, and severe social stigma. Through four long years of trial, Pastor Bisht cannot recount all that he lost. “My wife was four months pregnant when I was arrested,” he told Morning Star News. “I couldn’t give her proper care, and because of all the stress and tension of my arrest and case, we lost our baby.” His friend Rajesh Kumar, who stood by him throughout his legal struggle, said the case took a heavy toll on the pastor.

The court ruled that the complainant lacked legal standing and failed to identify any aggrieved person, undermining the prosecution’s case. The 16-page judgment emphasized constitutional protections for religious practice and clarified that prayer gatherings do not equate to illegal conversion.
Witnesses admitted under cross-examination that no inducement or conversion attempts occurred, and the investigating officer revealed procedural lapses.
The acquittal sets a legal precedent for future cases under India’s controversial anti-conversion laws, reinforcing the need for evidence and protecting religious freedom.

This case not only vindicates Pastor Bisht but also signals a critical moment for religious rights in India, especially for minority communities facing legal and social pressure. 

In related news:
The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a series of petitions challenging the constitutionality of anti-conversion laws enacted by several of the country's states. On September 16th, the court issued notices to the respective state governments, requesting their formal responses within four weeks. The case is scheduled to be heard in six weeks, and the judges have indicated that they may consider ordering the states to pause the enforcement of their existing laws until a decision is made.

• Pray for wisdom, clarity and courage on behalf of the petitioners and their legal teams as they present their arguments before India's Supreme Court in the coming weeks.
• Prayerfully ask the Lord to grant the judges discernment as they consider the constitutional implications of these harmful anti-conversion laws, so that truth and justice will prevail both in and out of the court room.
• May the ongoing legal process not incite any hostility or violence from those who are opposed to the petitions and, ultimately, may peace and tolerance reign throughout this South Asian nation.
• Thank God for Pastor Nandan Singh Bisht's acquittal.  Pray for peace and comfort as they try to get on with their lives after this long ordeal.