RANGWASA, India — A pastor and his wife, who were put into protective custody April 4 after a Hindu mob attacked a worship service in Rangwasa village, were subsequently charged with forcible conversion.
The mob of 300 Hindu extremists attacked a worship service of five families in a Rangwasa home. Pastor Manu Damor and his wife, Asha, were put into protective custody and their three young children were placed with a Christian family following the attack.
But instead of being released from protective custody the next day as promised, the Damors were charged under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Ordinance, 2020, which prohibits “unlawful conversion from one religion to other religions,” and under Indian Penal Code Section 294 for “obscene act/song in public place.”
Asha Damor was released on bail April 12. A judge refused bail for Manu Damor.
Rangwasa residents have harassed three Christian families in the village and threatened to burn the Damors and other believers alive.
India is No. 10 on Open Doors’ 2021 World Watch List of places where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
