UK Church Leader Faces Controversial Charges in India Amid Family Concerns

A British church leader, Pankaj Devnoor, aged 50, finds himself embroiled in a legal battle in India after being accused of attempting to convert Hindus, a serious charge under a contentious new law in Maharashtra. Devnoor, who leads a Christian community in Manchester affiliated with the Anglican Episcopal Church International, had traveled to Pune to participate in a ten-day church anniversary celebration when the situation escalated on August 7.

The celebration was abruptly interrupted when a group of Hindu men entered the church, alleging that Devnoor was engaged in missionary activities aimed at religious conversion. This incident has attracted significant media attention as it marks one of the first registered cases under Maharashtra's Freedom of Religion Act 2026, a law viewed by critics as part of a broader agenda by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to target minority religions.

Ironically, the law under which Devnoor was accused had not yet come into effect at the time of the incident. Despite this, police have indicated they may pursue charges related to immigration violations. Although he has not been arrested, Devnoor has been granted bail with strict conditions preventing him from leaving India.

His family back in the UK decries the allegations as unfounded, expressing deep concern for his safety in light of the treatment of minorities in India. Manali Devnoor, his daughter, described the ordeal as “painful” and emphasized their distress over the rapid developments, stating, “They'd taken his phone away, so we couldn’t even really speak to him.”

Elvina Victor, a friend of Devnoor, echoed these sentiments, noting the sudden disruption of what was meant to be a peaceful religious event. The complaint against Devnoor originated from a local rickshaw driver, Amit Raju Bhosale, who alleged that Devnoor was spreading misinformation about Hinduism and attempting to lure attendees into conversion.

Authorities have stated that while Devnoor was allowed to participate in prayer meetings as an overseas citizen, he lacked the permission to preach or conduct religious discourses. Deputy Commissioner of Police Prashant Amrutkar emphasized that Devnoor was engaged in missionary work, but the court granting him bail pointed out that it's unclear whether the cultural program was intended to target individuals of other religions for conversion.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the police have indicated they will drop charges under the anti-conversion law but may still pursue action under different statutes. Devnoor's lawyer confirmed that his bail conditions remain active, requiring him to report to police regularly.

In light of the financial and emotional toll this incident has taken, the family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for his legal defense, with over £6,600 already collected towards a £10,000 goal. Their immediate focus is on ensuring Devnoor’s safe return to the UK, with his daughter expressing fears about the implications of his public exposure in India. “That’s our biggest fear at the moment… making sure he comes back home safe,” she said, highlighting their concerns for his wellbeing amidst rising tensions for minorities.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has acknowledged their awareness of the situation, confirming their support for Devnoor and communication with his family and local authorities.

Source: www.independent.co.uk