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.
