a Baptist the first arrested by the law against “magical cures”

Pranjal Bhuyan, 38, had simply prayed for some of his villagers. Introduced by the local government of BJP nationalists to “protect health”, it is actually a new tool to attack Christians. The man affected by the measure had already been the subject of accusations of “conversion” for some free classes he offered to children at his home.

Delhi () – Police in the Indian state of Assam have arrested a Baptist church leader accused of violating a new law aimed at restricting “magical healing”. The arrest occurred after he simply prayed for the inhabitants of a village in the northeastern Indian state.

Pranjal Bhuyan, 38, a member of the historic Golaghat Baptist Church in Dergaon, Golaghat district, was arrested on November 22, becoming the first member of the state’s Christian community to be sent to prison under the newly introduced Assam Healing Practices (Prevention of Evil) Act.

This law, introduced in February by the Hindu nationalist BJP government, chaired by Himanta Biswa Sarma, describes as “evil” “the commission of any magical healing and healing practice, by any person, with a sinister motive to exploit “ordinary people.” Whoever commits them can be punished, upon conviction, with prison sentences of up to one year, which can be extended to three in case of repeat offense, or with a fine of 50,000 rupees.

Pranjal Bhuyan, a resident of the village of Padmapur, is accused of having tried to “convert” Hindus in the area through these “magical healing practices.” Brought before the magistrate for hearing, he was remanded in judicial custody for 14 days. Bhuyan was released on bail, but the serious charges against him will have to be challenged in court.

The law passed by Assam had been presented by Hindu nationalists as an instrument to provoke “an awakening in society and create solid and scientific knowledge to protect health.” In reality, it is just another tool to attack Christians.

According to Baptist Church pastor Amit Sangma, Bhuyan offered classes to children at his home in Padmur. A few months ago, a meeting was held in the village in which it was decided that no one would send their children to study with him anymore for fear that he would also teach the Bible. Now came the unusual accusation of “magical cures.”