Seven pastors imprisoned in June under Madhya Pradesh’s anti-conversion laws were granted bail on 18 August. Amit Kumar (24), Sanjay Markam (20), Santosh Paraste (21), Jeet Singh Dhurve (48), Pramod Singh (28), Chhot Singh Dhurve (49) and Karan Singh Maravi (40) had each been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
The High Court in Jabalpur was told that none of the pastors had any previous criminal record and granted them leave to appeal their convictions. They were each granted bail of 20,000 rupees (€180) and told to return to court on 7 January 2027.
The seven Christians were arrested in April 2024 when a neighbouring villager disrupted a child’s birthday party they were attending in Pipariya village, Dindori district, and accused them of luring local people to convert. When questioned by police, the child’s parents said the gathering was a purely social occasion.
Jeet Singh Dhurve lives in Pipariya village, while the other six pastors are residents of Diwari village, also in Dindori district. They were welcomed with joy by nearly 150 Christians as they left Dindori district jail.
Pastor Jeet’s ministry of encouragement
Persecution Relief reports that the first days in prison were difficult for the pastors but that Pastor Jeet kept encouraging the others to remain strong in their faith and trust God for deliverance.
As the days passed, prison authorities began noticing the peace and positive influence surrounding Pastor Jeet and some reportedly told him that he seemed to have a special ability to bring peace to the prison. Pastor Jeet responded that the peace they were witnessing came from Jesus Christ.
On 15 August, Indian Independence Day, the authorities gave Pastor Jeet an opportunity to address the inmates. Through his words, conduct and interactions, he was able to encourage many people and some inmates eventually began greeting him with “Jai Masih Ki” [Praise the Lord]!
Pastor Jeet said that after repeated delays in their bail proceedings, he spent the night of 17 August earnestly praying. The following morning, the pastors were granted bail.
(Barnabas Aid, Persecution Relief)
Photo: Barnabas Aid