New Delhi, November 24, 2025
In what marks the inaugural enforcement of Rajasthan's controversial new anti-conversion legislation, two prominent Christian pastors have been charged with promoting unlawful religious conversions during a spiritual gathering in Kota. The case, triggered by complaints from activists affiliated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and its youth wing Bajrang Dal, has drawn sharp condemnation from church leaders who decry it as a "false" and politically motivated assault on minority rights.
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered on November 20 at the Borkhera police station in Kota district against Pastor Arun John of the Beersheba Church of God in Kota and Pastor Chandy Varghese, founder of the Zion Global Worship Centre in New Delhi. The accusations stem from a three-day "Atmik Satsang" or spiritual prayer service held from November 4 to 6 at the Beersheba Church, which was live-streamed on social media and attended primarily by local Christians.
Complainants Yogesh Rainwal of Bajrang Dal and VHP members Mukesh Sharma and Hariom Sharma alleged that the pastors engaged in "provocative speeches" to allure participants into conversions, including baptisms of several attendees. They cited video clips where Varghese reportedly declared that Christianity would grow in Rajasthan, freeing people from "sin," and claimed offensive remarks were made against the Hindu community, with the state government labeled the "devil’s kingdom." Youths were said to have publicly announced their baptisms and urged others to embrace Christianity on stage.
The charges invoke Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for promoting enmity between groups, alongside Sections 3 and 5 of the freshly enacted Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025. This law, passed by the BJP-led state assembly on September 9 and notified on October 29, imposes draconian penalties for conversions deemed to occur through force, coercion, misrepresentation, undue influence, allurement, or marriage—including up to life imprisonment and fines as high as ₹1 crore for mass conversions or those involving vulnerable groups like minors, women, or Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Notably, it exempts "re-conversions" back to one's ancestral faith, often termed "Ghar Wapsi" in Hindutva circles. Rajasthan is now the 12th Indian state with such legislation, following Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and others.
Police have issued notices to the pastors, requiring them to appear before the investigating officer within three days and provide attendee lists, guest details, and event videos for scrutiny. No arrests have been made yet, but the probe relies on social media footage and witness statements. Station House Officer Devesh Bhardwaj confirmed the FIR, stating, "It has been alleged that their speeches provoked people for conversion. We have registered an FIR against John and Varghese and further investigation is underway."
The pastors vehemently deny the charges. Pastor John asserted, "We have nothing to hide [about the programme]. Its videos are already in the public domain. No illegal activity was carried out at the gathering." He emphasized that the event was an annual spiritual discourse for existing Christians, with prior intimation to the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), and described the clips as "edited" to misrepresent teachings on overcoming addictions as conversion enticements. Pastor Varghese could not be reached for comment, but church sources maintain the gathering involved no proselytization.
The incident has ignited a firestorm within Rajasthan's minuscule Christian community, which comprises just 0.15% of the state's 70 million population, dominated by 88% Hindus. John Mathew, president of the Rajasthan Christian Fellowship, lambasted the case as part of a broader pattern: "VHP and Bajrang Dal activists are making life miserable for the community. No conversion took place; it was a meeting attended by Christians." Bishop Joseph Kallarackal of the Jaipur Diocese echoed this, noting that the diocesan Catholic Welfare Society has petitioned the Supreme Court to strike down the Act as "constitutionally flawed," contradicting landmark rulings on religious freedom. The apex court issued a notice to the Rajasthan government last month, demanding a response within four weeks.
Senior journalist and petitioner John Dayal went further, accusing the state of "weaponizing the law to legitimize unconstitutional actions." He linked the enforcement to a surge in attacks on churches in September, where police allegedly raided Christian properties and detained believers instead of probing real threats. Pastor Morison Baby of the Emmanuel Believers Fellowship in Kota described the notices as harassment, warning that such cases could stifle legitimate worship.
On social media platform X, the story has amplified rapidly, with posts from outlets like The Wire garnering thousands of views and sparking debates on religious liberty versus state overreach. One user shared, "The conversion cartel is firing on all cylinders," while advocacy group Indian American Muslim Council highlighted the pastors' denial, underscoring fears of misuse against minorities.
As the investigation unfolds, this case exemplifies the tensions surrounding India's anti-conversion laws, often criticized by human rights groups for enabling vigilantism under the guise of curbing "forced" shifts in faith. With Rajasthan's BJP government hailing the Act as a shield against "illegal proselytization," critics argue it erodes secularism. For now, Pastors John and Varghese await their date with authorities, their ordeal a litmus test for the law's application in the heartland.
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