Conversion Allegation: Malayali Priest Arrested in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: A Malayali priest has been arrested in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh on charges of religious conversion. The arrested priest, Father Godwin from Malayinkeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram, serves under the Church of South India (CSI) and was taken into custody in Jhabua.

Father Godwin and his family have been engaged in missionary and charitable work in the region for many years, running a tuition centre and a tailoring unit. Fellow priests stated that no villagers had lodged complaints of conversion, though police maintain that a complaint was received.

Having lived in Madhya Pradesh for the past 25 years, Father Godwin was arrested on the 25th by Ratlam police and is currently being held in Ratlam jail.

In December 2021, Jhabua police had also arrested Catholic priest Father Jam Singh Dindor, pastor Ansing Ninama, and others under the state’s anti-conversion law.