A special court in Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar district has sentenced a Christian couple, Pastor Jose Pappachan and his wife Sheeja Pappachan, to five years in prison for attempting to convert individuals, marking the first such conviction under India’s stringent anti-conversion laws. The court also fined the couple ₹25,000 each.
The conviction, which came on January 22, follows a complaint filed by a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in January 2023. The couple was accused of attempting to convert people, particularly from tribal and Dalit communities, despite their defense that they were simply providing education, promoting sobriety, and organizing community activities.
Christian leaders have expressed concern over the ruling, with A. C. Michael, a prominent Christian activist, describing it as a troubling development.
“This is the first time we have encountered such a sentence for a suspected conversion attempt. It is not a recognized crime under the law, and we believe it will not stand in a higher court,” Michael stated.
Pastor Joy Mathew, who has been assisting the couple, called the judgment biased and indicated that they will challenge it in the High Court.
“There was no evidence to substantiate the charges of conversion, yet they were convicted based on unsubstantiated statements,” Mathew told UCA News.
The Pappachans were convicted under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act 2021, which was amended in 2024 to impose harsher penalties, including a life sentence for certain offenses. The law, which restricts religious conversions, has been a point of controversy, with many arguing that it unfairly targets religious minorities.
Despite their conviction, the couple had previously been granted bail by the Allahabad High Court in September 2024, which stated that actions such as distributing Bibles, providing education, and organizing public charity events did not constitute an attempt at forced conversion.
The High Court had also raised questions about the legal standing of the complainant, as only an aggrieved individual or their relative can file such complaints under the law, though the 2024 amendment allowed third-party complaints.
Uttar Pradesh, with a population of 200 million, has seen a rise in anti-Christian incidents, recording 209 such cases in 2024 alone, the highest in India.
According to the United Christian Forum (UCF), at least 70 Christians, including pastors, are currently in prison for alleged violations of the anti-conversion laws.
Viji
January 23, 2025 at 8:11 pm
why the imprisonment of Pastor Jose Papachan and Sheeja in Uttar Pradesh raises concerns regarding international democratic ethics:
Freedom of Religion Violation:
Their arrest appears to be based on distributing religious literature (Bibles)2, which is protected under international human rights law
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees freedom of religion, including the right to practice and share one’s faith
Due Process Concerns:
The arrests seem to have occurred shortly after seeking legal permission to reopen their church1, suggesting potential procedural irregularities
International democratic principles require clear evidence of wrongdoing before detention
Anti-Conversion Laws Issues:
The use of anti-conversion laws to arrest religious minorities raises concerns about discriminatory application
International democratic standards require laws to be applied equally and not target specific religious groups
Human Rights Standards:
Detention based on peaceful religious activities contradicts:
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
UN Declaration on the Elimination of Religious Intolerance and Discrimination
Universal right to freedom of conscience and belief
Lack of Evidence:
The charge of “forced conversion” typically requires clear evidence of coercion or fraudulent means
Simply sharing religious literature or beliefs does not constitute forced conversion under international standards
Democratic Principles:
In democratic societies, religious plurality and the right to practice and share one’s faith are protected
Arbitrary detention based on religious activities contradicts fundamental democratic values
The imprisonment appears to conflict with international democratic ethics because it infringes on fundamental human rights, religious freedom, and due process principles that are cornerstones of democratic societies. International law protects both the right to practice religion and the right to share religious beliefs peacefully.
Thilaka
January 28, 2025 at 1:06 pm
Great news! Time to stop the evangelical nonsense. Too many families have been destroyed by creepy preachers for centuries. Hope all other Indian states follow this and punish Christian culprits.
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