Pastor arrested after conversion of Muslims in India

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has called for the immediate release of a pastor in India accused of bribing Muslims to convert to Christianity.

Chander Mani Khanna, who pastors All Saints Church in Srinagar, was called before a Sharia court accused of converting Muslim children by offering bribes.

A video appeared on YouTube apparently showing him baptising Muslim converts. Witnesses claim that police beat the converts to make them give evidence against the pastor.

According to AsiaNews, police arrested Pastor Khanna for promoting enmity between religious groups and outraging religious feeling.

Although Pastor Khanna denies all charges, he remains in police custody and there are fears that a fatwa may be issued against him.

The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), which his church belongs to, has written to the Government of Jammu and Indian Kashmir asking them to intervene on the pastor's behalf.

The GCIC believes the charges were brought against the pastor because he failed to get a local Muslim's son into the Christian school of his choice.

The church body said that tensions have risen in the region following the burning of a Koran in a Florida church this year.

Bishop Nazir-Ali, patron of Release International, knows Pastor Khanna personally. He described him as a "respected" priest who would "never use underhand methods to evangelise".

"I am astonished that such a person can be arrested by an India committed to religious freedom and democracy," said Bishop Nazir-Ali.

"I call not only for his immediate and unconditional release but also for protection for him and his family.

"Let us pray that freedom and justice will prevail in Kashmir for everyone: Muslim, Christian and Hindu."