Maharashtra State Assembly Passes Anti-Conversion Law
India – We thank God for enabling us to complete our 2025-26 academic year with great enthusiasm and a blessed graduation ceremony. A total of 19 students were graduated and are now ready to take up ministry or pursue further studies. More than 250 people attended the graduation on February 21 and witnessed God’s goodness in the ongoing work and partnership of Grace Bible College and Indigenous Ministries.
In early February, I had the privilege of attending the Pastor’s Conference in Delhi organized by the Delhi Bible Institute. More than 500 pastors from several states across India participated. One of the key features of the conference was hearing the testimonies of pastors facing severe persecution. Some of these pastors had been severely beaten and wounded, and their houses and churches were vandalized. Several pastors and their wives wrestled sent to jail for anywhere from six to eighteen months, and some were even forced out of their villages at gunpoint.
Last week the Maharashtra government passed the 2026 Anti-Conversion bill in the assembly. Because of this, we now expect similar anti-Christian activities and persecution to begin in our peace-loving state of Maharashtra. Jesus’ message to the church in Smyrna reminds us…”do not fear.” Rev. 2:10
Our students are now in their home villages ministering their “practicals” and will return the first week in July. Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. We continue to trust Him and serve Him training and preparing the next generation of men and women who will reach India for Christ.
Dr. Pramod Tantarpale, Principal of Grace Bible College
Editor’s Note: India states that have passed the Anti-Conversion law: Maharashtra (Passed in 2026), Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Rajasthan. There are 28 India States in all.
The other name for this law is “Freedom of Religion Acts,” which is a mis-leading name. The Indian constitution (Articles 25-28) already guarantees freedom of religion; the Anti-Conversion laws are restrictive. They are designed to restrict rights and punish conversions with fines and imprisonment especially for Christians and Muslims. Pray that the Supreme Court will address concerns of the constitutionality of these laws, particularly forced reporting requirements, and the facilitation of harassment the laws encourage to restrict freedom to choose one’s religion.