Raipur: House churches across Chhattisgarh’s capital are shutting down after police allegedly warned pastors to stop prayers or face legal action under an old state law. The move has sparked alarm among Christians, who say it violates their constitutional right to practice faith freely.
Pastors told reporters that Raipur police invoked the Chhattisgarh Sarvajanik Dharmik Bhawan Tatha Sthan Viniyaman Adhiniyam, 1984, a law regulating construction of public religious sites, to justify the crackdown. Community members argue the law does not apply to private homes where small groups gather for worship.
In August, nearly 400 Pentecostal pastors were summoned by police and told to halt house church prayers until they obtained permission from the district collector. Days earlier, rallies were held by Hindu nationalist groups demanding action against the churches. Lawyers representing the pastors said the orders lack legal basis and have already been challenged in court.
Arun Pannalal, president of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, confirmed petitions have been filed in the High Court and complaints sent to state authorities, but no official response has been received. “They are harassing us for praying in private homes. There is no evidence of forced conversions as alleged,” he said.
Christian leaders also reported that Bajrang Dal activists have disrupted prayers, harassed worshippers, and pressured police to act against house churches. Rights groups note that Chhattisgarh has seen at least 86 incidents of targeted attacks on Christians this year, second only to Uttar Pradesh.
Despite fear of reprisals, pastors say they will continue to pursue legal remedies, with support from Bhim Army activists and civil society groups.
