1 week ago
British Indian Church Leader Faces India Anti-Conversion Law Dispute
Pankaj Devnoor is a church leader from Manchester who went to Pune, India, for a Christian celebration.
Some people accused him of trying to persuade Hindus to become Christians.
Devnoor says the programme was open to everyone and denies the allegations.
A court gave him temporary protection from arrest, but he must stay in India for now.
He must also report to a police station every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Police first used Maharashtra’s new anti-conversion law against him.
That law had received approval but was not scheduled to start until 28 August, so police said they would drop those charges.
His family says the publicity has caused financial and safety concerns and is raising money to help him return to Britain.
Pankaj Devnoor faces allegations over a Christian gathering held in Pune on 7 August.
A complainant alleged that the event used Hindu terms and devotional instruments to attract Hindus toward Christianity.
A court granted Devnoor interim bail but barred him from leaving India and required police-station visits three times weekly.
Police said they would drop charges under Maharashtra’s Freedom of Religion Act because the law was not yet in force.
Devnoor’s family says the allegations are baseless, fears for his safety, and is raising money for his legal defence and return to Britain.
- Who
- British church leader Pankaj Devnoor, Maharashtra police, a complainant, and organisers and attendees of the Christian gathering.
- What
- Devnoor was accused of missionary activity and attempting to encourage Hindus to convert to Christianity.
- Where
- A church in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
- When
- The gathering was interrupted on 7 August; the case is due back in court on 25 August, and the law is scheduled to take effect on 28 August.
- Why
- Police allege that Devnoor preached or conducted missionary activity beyond the permissions attached to his immigration status; his family rejects the allegations.
Police and complainant’s allegations
Devnoor’s defence and court concerns
Whether the event sought conversions
Police and complainant’s allegations
Police said Devnoor was carrying out missionary activities, while the complainant alleged that the event spread misconceptions about Hinduism and attempted to lure people into conversion.
Devnoor’s defence and court concerns
Devnoor denied the allegations and said the programme was open to all. The court found no clear indication that it intended to convert people from another religion.
Whether the new law applied
Police and complainant’s allegations
Police initially registered the case under Maharashtra’s new Freedom of Religion Act and said other legal action could still be pursued.
Devnoor’s defence and court concerns
The law was not yet in force when the case was filed, so police said they would drop charges under it. The court also questioned the basis for viewing the programme as a conversion effort.
Significance of open attendance
Police and complainant’s allegations
The complaint treated the presence of people from other religions and the use of Hindu cultural references as potentially connected to conversion efforts.
Devnoor’s defence and court concerns
The court said unrestricted entry did not mean that people of other religions had been invited with an intention to convert them and said the programme appeared to be for the Christian community.
Key facts
- Person involved
- Pankaj Devnoor, a 50-year-old British church leader based in Manchester and an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder.
- Event
- A 10-day church anniversary celebration featuring sermons, prayer, and religious music.
- Complaint
- A complainant alleged that Hindu terms and instruments including kirtan, veena, and tabla were used before 80–100 people to attract Hindus toward Christianity.
- Court finding
- The court said there was no clear indication that the programme intended to convert people from another religion.
- Law status
- The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act received presidential assent on 31 July but is scheduled to come into force on 28 August.
- Bail conditions
- Devnoor cannot leave India without court permission and must report to a police station every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Fundraising and support
- His son Punit launched a £10,000 GoFundMe appeal; more than £6,600 had reportedly been raised, while the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was supporting a British man in India.
Quotes
Prashant Amrutkar
Deputy Commissioner of Police involved in the case
“Everything happened so quickly and so suddenly. They'd taken his phone away, so we couldn't even really speak to him.”
easterneye.biz
“The law will take its course.”
easterneye.biz
The court
Court hearing Devnoor’s interim case
“Prima facie it appears that it was a programme of [the] Christian community.”
easterneye.biz
Sources
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