A Christian couple in Uttar Pradesh has been sentenced to prison under India’s anti-conversion laws. Pastor Jose Pappachan and his wife, Sheeja Pappachan, received a five-year prison sentence on January 22 after being convicted in Ambedkar Nagar. This is the first conviction of its kind in the district.
The court also fined each of them ₹25,000. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed the initial complaint against the couple in January 2023. This complaint led to the charges and subsequent conviction.
The Pappachans were accused of attempting to convert people, especially those from tribal and Dalit communities. However, the couple claimed they were only sharing their religious beliefs and providing assistance to those in need. Court documents show the prosecution presented evidence suggesting the couple offered incentives to convert. In contrast, the defense stated their activities were charitable and religious, protected by India’s constitutional right to freedom of religion.
“We were falsely accused,” said Pastor Jose Pappachan, insisting their work focused on helping the poor and needy. This conviction is bringing attention to the increased monitoring of religious minorities in India due to the controversial anti-conversion laws. Many critics believe these laws are often misused to harass and intimidate religious minorities.
This case raises serious questions about how anti-conversion laws are being used and their possible impact on religious freedom in India. It also highlights the ongoing discussion about balancing religious freedom with the prevention of forced or dishonest conversions. These anti-conversion laws remain a disputed topic. Some groups are calling for these laws to be removed, while others believe they are needed to maintain peace in society. This ruling could lead to greater monitoring and stricter enforcement of anti-conversion laws throughout India.