Fri Nov 21 16:55:38 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Rajasthan Police have registered the first case under the state’s new anti-conversion law against two Christian missionaries following complaints from Hindu nationalist groups. The missionaries are accused of religious conversion through enticement at a three-day religious gathering. The accused deny any illegal activity. The law, passed in September, carries steep penalties for conversions deemed unlawful. A Catholic group has challenged the law’s validity in the Supreme Court.
News Article:
Rajasthan Enforces New Anti-Conversion Law, First Case Filed Against Missionaries
Jaipur, Rajasthan – November 21, 2025 – The Rajasthan Police have filed the first case under the state’s controversial new anti-conversion law, targeting two Christian missionaries accused of carrying out illegal religious conversions through enticement. The FIR was lodged late Thursday night based on complaints from local Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal members, alleging unlawful conversions took place during a three-day “Spiritual Satsang” held at Beersheba Church in Kota from November 4th to 6th.
The accused, Chandy Varghese from New Delhi and Arun John from Kota, have been booked under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Sections 3 and 5 of the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025. Police allege that the pastors made offensive remarks about the Hindu community and disparaged the Rajasthan government.
Police are investigating the event using videos and social media footage, focusing on speeches and activities during the gathering. Allegedly, some attendees announced their baptism and conversion to Christianity on stage.
Pastor Arun John refuted the allegations, stating, “We have nothing to hide… No illegal activity was carried out at the gathering.” He confirmed receiving a notice from the police.
The Rajasthan anti-conversion law, passed in September and enacted in October, imposes strict penalties, including life imprisonment and substantial fines, for conversions deemed to be the result of fraud, allurement, or coercion. Notably, reconversions to one’s “ancestral religion” are exempt from the law.
The law has faced strong criticism, and the Jaipur Catholic Welfare Society has challenged its validity in the Supreme Court, arguing it is unconstitutional and exceeds the State legislature’s authority. The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the State government regarding the petition. Rajasthan joins several other states with similar anti-conversion laws, fueling ongoing debates about religious freedom and the legal limits of conversion.
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