by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
NEW DELHI (Worthy News) – An elderly Christian leader has been detained in India for allegedly offending the religious sentiments of the Asian nation’s Hindu majority on social media.
Arun Pannalal, 75, president of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum (CCF), was arrested August 7 in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh over a comment on Facebook that authorities described as “offensive to Hindu religious beliefs,” well-informed sources told Worthy News Friday.
The disputed comment was reportedly posted in response to an existing Facebook message. Police acted after receiving a complaint and took Pannalal into custody as tensions mounted over the social media exchange.
Authorities accused the Christian leader of offenses including “promoting enmity between groups,” deliberately outraging religious feelings, and intentional insult allegedly intended to provoke a breach of the peace.
However, in comments shared with Worthy News, Pannalal’s family questioned whether he was responsible for the comment. His son, Vaibhav Pannalal, said his father would not have written such a message and suggested that his identity may have been fraudulently used online.
FAMILY QUESTIONS COMMENT
The controversy intensified after Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, a member of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), publicly described the alleged remarks as objectionable to Hinduism before the case had been examined by a court.
Christian rights advocates expressed concern that such comments by a senior government official could increase pressure surrounding the proceedings against Pannalal.
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC), an advocacy group supporting persecuted Christians, highlighted the case amid its concerns about mounting pressure on Christians in India.
VOMC said Pannalal and his family were awaiting what it called a hoped-for “safe release” and urged Christians to pray that the family would experience “God’s peace, strength and encouragement throughout the difficult process.”
The organization also urged prayer for believers across India to have wisdom in their interactions with others, including online, so they would demonstrate Christian “character and compassion” amid religious tensions.
MOB GATHERS AT HOME
Human rights advocates have also questioned the case. One advocate was quoted as saying that “Arun Pannalal’s real offence is that he has refused to stay silent.”
Following Pannalal’s arrest, a crowd gathered outside his home in Raipur, Chhattisgarh’s capital, but police reportedly dispersed the protesters without serious incident.
The Christian leader has been an outspoken critic of what he views as increasing intimidation and violence targeting Christians in Chhattisgarh.
His arrest came after years of tensions between Christian communities and Hindu nationalist groups over alleged forced religious conversions and other religious-freedom issues. Christian leaders have repeatedly denied accusations that they systematically coerce Hindus into converting to Christianity.
VOMC previously cited Pannalal while reporting about attacks against Christians in Chhattisgarh. In one case, the advocacy group quoted him as saying that at least 10 attacks had occurred within two weeks while accusing authorities of failing to take adequate action.
CHRISTIANS FACE PRESSURE
Concerns over Pannalal’s treatment come amid broader tensions surrounding India’s Christian minority, particularly in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP or where Hindu nationalist organizations have a strong presence.
Christian advocacy groups have documented attacks on churches and prayer gatherings, arrests of pastors and other believers, and accusations of illegal religious conversions.
Chhattisgarh has been among the states at the center of the controversy, with Christian groups raising concerns about anti-conversion legislation and its potential use against believers.
Pannalal himself has opposed tougher anti-conversion measures while stressing that Christians do not object to action against genuinely coercive conversions. He has argued, however, that allegations of forced conversion are often being used against Christian communities.
The latest case also underscored the increasingly prominent role of social media in India’s religious disputes, where online statements can rapidly trigger police complaints, demonstrations, and accusations of insulting religious beliefs.
VOMC URGES PRAYER
VOMC urged Christians in Chhattisgarh and elsewhere in India to remain “faithful and courageous” while sharing the Gospel and to trust God to “guide, equip and bless their ministry endeavours.”
Pannalal’s supporters were awaiting further legal developments as questions remained over who was responsible for the disputed Facebook comment.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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