ANDRA PRADESH, INDIA, May 9, 2008: Native Christian missionaries are no longer allowed to preach in areas of seven hills around a famous Hindu temple in India’s state of Andhra Pradesh and face stiff prison sentences if they violate the rule, a Christian mission group said. In a statement monitored by BosNewsLife Tuesday, May 6, Gospel For Asia (GFA) said its missionaries have been banned from the area by local authorities. “The Andra Pradesh governor issued an ordinance that prohibits propagating any other religions near this temple and in 19 other places throughout the state,” the group explained.
Although the state has not introduced anti-conversion law legislation yet, “many political groups are rallying to bring one about,…” the group said. “Already, if anyone violates the governor’s ordinance, they will face three years imprisonment and/or a costly fine.”