Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: February 15, 2025
Our prayers today are for Jose and Sheeja Pappachan, a Christian couple in Uttar Pradesh, India. They were recently convicted under the state’s anti-conversion law and sentenced to five years in prison.
The couple was recently granted bail, but should never have been charged or sentenced in the first place. For merely exercising their constitutional rights and following their religious convictions, Jose and Sheeja have become the target of a harmful piece of legislation.
Let’s surround them in prayer today. The verdict has caused severe distress, with Jose having to be hospitalised for severe anxiety.
The case so far:
January 2023: Jose and Sheeja were accused of attempting to convert vulnerable people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (such as members of the Dalit community). The couple deny the allegations, stating that all they had done was provide education and encourage sobriety.
They were immediately jailed and spent eight months in detention whilst their trial was ongoing.
September 2023: Jose and Sheeja were granted bail by the Allahabad High Court. This was on the basis that their actions – which included distributing the Bible, encouraging children to get an education, and encouraging villagers not to drink alcohol – did not amount to ‘allurement’.
The court also pointed out that only alleged victims or close family members should have been allowed to file a complaint at that time. It wasn’t until 29 July 2024 that the law was amended to allow third parties to file a complaint.
The complaint was made in January 2023 by an Indian politician, Chandrika Prasad Upadhyay. He is a member of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
22 January 2025: Jose and Sheeja were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and fined 25,000 rupees each.
5 and 6 February 2025: The couple was granted bail by the Allahabad High Court. At the time of writing, they are yet to be released from prison.
In summary, please pray:
- For Jose and Sheeja’s full acquittal, as well as their wellbeing and encouragement.
- For the repeal of the anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh, and in the nine other states where this legislation is currently in force.
- For the protection of Christians and other religious minorities in India.
- That the Indian government and authorities would respect and uphold freedom of religion or belief for all.