India (MNN) ― Gospel for Asia missionary Yashpal Bhuta Masih remains in custody today after his arrest January 5 in Madhya Pradesh, India.
The police charged him with violating anti-conversion laws, and he will now face trial. Local authorities say Masih was attempting to force people to convert to Christianity.
According to police, three villagers have falsely accused the missionary of offering them education, money and jobs in exchange for converting to Christianity. In accordance with the "freedom of religion" laws, they arrested Masih.
Indian legislators say the laws are there to protect people from fraudulent conversion and to require individuals to register and receive permission from the government to change their faith.
Unfortunately, the laws have mostly been used as grounds to harass Christians, especially pastors and missionaries, for sharing their faith.
GFA leaders in Madhya Pradesh are working diligently to have Yashpal released from jail. Yashpal is married and has three children. Pray for justice in Yashpal's case.
