Rajasthan, India:  Earlier this year, we shared the disturbing news of five tribal pastors from Rajasthan, India, who were arrested under false allegations of “forced religious conversions”—a charge frequently used by anti-Christian extremists to silence and intimidate minority believers in India.

These humble pastors—Pappulal Valvai, Tolsingh Garasia, Makanlal Garasia, Suresh Garasia, and Rajesh Garasia—all hail from impoverished tribal forest communities in Banswada District, Rajasthan. Their faith in Christ, embraced through personal transformation and spiritual conviction, has inspired others in their villages. Despite their poverty and social marginalization, these men have courageously led house churches where people gather for worship, prayer, and fellowship.

However, their growing influence has sparked the ire of upper caste Hindus and extremist groups such as the VHP, RSS, and Bajrang Dal, who are determined to crush Christian presence in the region.

On 10th January 2025, while holding a prayer meeting in Itala village, the five pastors and several believers were suddenly interrupted by police officers acting on oral complaints from radical Hindu groups. Without formal investigation or written evidence, the pastors were arrested and taken to Ghadi Police Station.

Initially released, they were rearrested just days later after Hindu nationalist leaders pressured local politicians. The police inspector who released them was suspended, and a First Information Report (FIR) was filed retroactively. The pastors were then transferred to Banswada District Jail on 13th January.

To secure their release, the community—already struggling financially—had to initially raise ₹110,000 INR (approx. £1,050), covering everything from unofficial police payments to legal bail fees. Since then, the total costs have escalated to nearly £2,000, and the pastors are still struggling to repay loans borrowed from friends and family to secure their release.

The British Asian Christian Association has already supported these pastors with a donation of  £400 and £300. However, to fully clear their existing legal debt and cover ongoing court and travel expenses, we urgently need to raise at least £1,000 as they continue to stand firm against this grave injustice.

A Legal Battle Without End

Although the pastors were granted bail, the legal ordeal is far from over. Since 24th January, they have been summoned monthly to the Junior Judge Court in Ghadi, with hearings held on 25th February, 29th March, 3rd April, 3rd May, and an upcoming session scheduled for 8th June 2025. Yet, no formal trial proceedings have begun—only delays and mounting costs.

Each court appearance requires:

₹1,000 INR (£10) for their lawyer to submit court filings.

Travel costs to and from the village—over 25 km each way.

Food and basic expenses for the day.

For these pastors, who live day-to-day in remote, impoverished forest villages, these costs are crippling.

Five innocent pastors from a remote tribal region in Rajasthan are facing false criminal charges and ongoing legal persecution simply for practicing their faith.

Your gift can provide legal aid, travel costs, and vital support for these courageous believers.

The chilling impact of this persecution is already visible. Fear now grips their congregations. Attendance at Sunday worship and house fellowships has dropped significantly. Many believers are terrified that simply gathering in prayer might result in arrest.

Yet, despite this pressure, these brave pastors continue to serve quietly—risking everything to be faithful disciples of Christ in one of India’s most hostile regions for Christians.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:10

Please stand with these pastors in prayer and support. Their story is one of faith under fire—and your help could be the miracle they’re waiting for.

“It is heartbreaking to see humble pastors, who simply answered the call to serve their communities, being vilified and imprisoned under false charges. Their only ‘crime’ is leading peaceful prayer meetings. These arrests expose the absurdity of India’s so-called forced conversion laws, which are being systematically misused by extremists to silence Christian voices. Under the Modi regime, these laws have become tools of religious oppression — disproportionately targeting poor and tribal believers whose only offence is choosing Christ of their own free will. We stand with these pastors — not just in prayer, but in action — and call on Christians across the world to raise their voices and help fight this injustice.”