A Kerala-origin pastor and several others faced arrest in Maharashtra over claims of luring villagers into religious conversion, igniting sharp criticism from political leaders who see it as part of a larger pattern targeting minorities. Police in Amravati district's Varud area detained eight people, including the pastor from Thiruvananthapuram, his wife Jasmine, and locals like Ritesh Bondre and Sudhir William, following a complaint by resident Lakshman Shede. Shede alleged that during a gathering with a tent and preaching in white attire, the group offered money and jobs to encourage conversions to Christianity, violating sections on hurting religious sentiments under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. All were granted bail shortly after court appearance, but the swift action by Bajrang Dal activists and police has fueled debate on whether it was a prayer meet or something more coercive.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the arrests "deeply disturbing," pointing to a "worrying pattern" by groups like the Sangh Parivar to target minorities and stoke polarization, similar to recent cases in Jabalpur. Congress MP KC Venugopal echoed this, accusing BJP-ruled states of weaponizing police against Christians practicing their faith under false conversion pretexts. This comes amid Maharashtra's push for stricter anti-conversion laws, announced earlier in 2025 to curb alleged inducements among tribals.

India has seen a wave of such incidents, with over a dozen Christians arrested in Uttar Pradesh recently on conversion charges during prayer meetings, often triggered by Hindu nationalist complaints. States like Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh enforce tough laws punishing forced conversions with years in jail and fines, raising concerns from churches about misuse to harass minorities. In Maharashtra alone, cases involving pastors for "healing" claims or unauthorized gatherings highlight how everyday worship can turn contentious.

These events underscore ongoing friction between freedom of faith and anti-conversion efforts, especially as BJP states tighten rules ahead of elections. While police maintain they acted on evidence, critics argue it erodes constitutional rights, potentially alienating Christian voters in key areas like Kerala's Travancore. As protests grow, the balance between preventing coercion and protecting prayer remains a hot-button issue.