Three Signs of Hope for India's Christians: Goa Shelves Its Bill, Rajasthan Frees 13, a Court Questions Chhattisgarh's Law
In one week, a proposed anti-conversion law was parked, 13 believers jailed after a worship convention walked free, and a High Court pressed a state to defend its law. Open Doors asks the church to keep praying
The short answer
According to Open Doors UK, three developments in October 2026 gave India's Christians reason for hope: Goa's Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill was taken off the Assembly's business list after opposition from legislators (it would have made Goa the 14th state with an anti-conversion law); a pastor and 12 believers arrested after a June worship convention in Udaipur, Rajasthan, were granted bail after four months in prison; and a divisional bench of Chhattisgarh's High Court gave the state government three weeks to respond to a petition challenging its amended Freedom of Religion Act.
India's anti-conversion laws have been one of the steadiest sources of pressure on its Christians. This month, in three different states, the news ran the other way. Open Doors UK reported all three, and asked the church to keep praying.
Rajasthan: 13 Believers Walk Free
On 5 June 2026, the last day of a three-day Christian convention in Udaipur, Rajasthan, attended by around 200 believers, Hindu nationalist groups disrupted the gathering and accused the organisers of trying to forcibly convert tribal people. Instead of protecting the Christians, police registered a case against two pastors and 11 other believers, accusing them of allurement, insulting Hindu beliefs and unlawful conversion.
"In one week, Goa parked its anti-conversion bill, 13 Christians jailed after a Rajasthan worship convention were freed on bail, and Chhattisgarh's High Court challenged the state's law — answered prayers, but not the end of the story."
Click to copy and shareNow, after four months in prison, all 13 have been granted bail and released.
"We praise God that a pastor and 12 fellow believers have been granted bail and released after spending four months in prison… Their release is a great reason to give thanks to God and a reminder of His faithfulness." — Suraj Thakur (name changed), Open Doors local partner
The pressure hasn't gone. Rajasthan's 2025 anti-conversion law requires even a voluntary conversion to be approved by local authorities and carries possible life imprisonment. Open Doors' partner says many house churches have stopped meeting.
Goa: A Harsh Bill Parked
In August, Goa's state Cabinet approved the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill. It met resistance from several legislators — including members of the ruling BJP — and was taken off the Assembly's business list, never presented in the monsoon session.
Had it passed, Goa would have been the 14th Indian state with an anti-conversion law, and possibly one of the harshest: punishments up to life imprisonment, and a requirement to declare any intended change of religion 60 days in advance to a district magistrate.
"Goa is a peaceful state, and people here have lived and continue to live in harmony. So, why disturb this harmony?" Independent MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco told The Indian Express. Church bodies in Goa called for the Bill to be withdrawn outright — and activist John Dayal warned it is "parked and not scrapped."
Chhattisgarh: A Court Asks Questions
In March, Chhattisgarh's government made its Freedom of Religion Act stricter, making offences non-bailable and lengthening the process for declaring a conversion. Since then, Open Doors says, Christians there have faced more arrests and legal battles.
This month a divisional bench of Chhattisgarh's High Court heard a petition from senior advocates challenging the Act's constitutional validity, and gave the state government three weeks to respond. Several other petitions against the Act were already pending.
Why It Matters
None of these is a final victory. Bail is not acquittal, a shelved bill can return, and a court hearing is not a ruling. But each is an answer to prayer that believers in India asked the worldwide church to pray — and each is a reason to keep going.
It also lands days before the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on Sunday 1 November. India sits high on Open Doors' World Watch List, and only last month a mob attacked a Santhali Bible convention in West Bengal. Give thanks — and keep praying.
In one week, Goa parked its anti-conversion bill, 13 Christians jailed after a Rajasthan worship convention were freed on bail, and Chhattisgarh's High Court challenged the state's law — answered prayers, but not the end of the story.
Biblical Perspective
Paul asked the church to pray "for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1-2). When Peter was in prison, "the church was earnestly praying to God for him" (Acts 12:5) — and the doors opened.
"So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."
— Acts 12:5 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Father, thank You for the 13 believers in Rajasthan who are home with their families, for Goa's bill being set aside and for the Chhattisgarh High Court's scrutiny. Strengthen the house churches that have stopped meeting out of fear. Give India's leaders wisdom and justice, and let Your church be salt and light. In Jesus' name, amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›The church is praying — and prison doors open!
- ›Freedom to follow Jesus is worth defending!
- ›God is faithful to His people in India!
Take Action
- 1Thank God by name for the 13 believers released in Rajasthan.
- 2Pray that Goa's bill is withdrawn for good and that Chhattisgarh's court rules justly.
- 3Plan how your church will join the International Day of Prayer on 1 November.
"Three signs of hope for India's Christians this week: Goa shelved its anti-conversion bill, 13 jailed believers walked free, and a court is questioning Chhattisgarh's law. Keep praying."
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Every time you pray over a story and speak life, you are partnering with Heaven to see God's Kingdom come on earth. When believers around the world agree in prayer, mountains move. Keep praying over these matters — your consistency in intercession is changing the world.
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Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
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"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
What are India's anti-conversion laws?
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Often titled "Freedom of Religion" acts, they claim to prevent forced or induced conversions. Open Doors says that in practice they are often used to target Christians: in Rajasthan even a voluntary conversion must be approved by local authorities, and possible punishments include life imprisonment.
Why were 13 Christians arrested in Rajasthan?
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According to Open Doors UK, Hindu nationalist groups disrupted a three-day Christian convention in Udaipur on 5 June 2026 and accused organisers of forcibly converting tribal people. Police registered a case against two pastors and 11 believers. All 13 were granted bail and released after four months in prison.
Has Goa passed an anti-conversion law?
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No. Goa's Cabinet approved the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill in August 2026, but after opposition from legislators it was taken off the Assembly's business list. Campaigners warn it could return.
Sources & further reading
- 1.Update: 13 Christians now free after four months in prison for worship conventionOpen Doors UK & Ireland
- 2.Plans to introduce harsh anti-conversion law in Goa shelved – for nowOpen Doors UK & Ireland
- 3.Please pray: Chhattisgarh's Freedom of Religion Act under scrutinyOpen Doors UK & Ireland
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."
Acts 12:5 (NIV)
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