India: Christian orphanage denied renewed operating permit in Madhya Pradesh state

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – In a move perceived by local church leaders as hostility toward Christianity, authorities in India’s Madhya Pradesh state have refused to renew the permit of Christian orphanage to receive international charitable funding, the Christian Post (CP) reports.

Founded by Protestant Christian Dr. Ajay Lal, the Adharshila Sansthan orphanage in the Damoh District of Madhya Pradesh was denied the necessary renewed permit by the state’s Department for Women and Child Development, CP reports. The refusal to grant the permit means the orphanage must close and the 11 girls and five boys who are ready for adoption will be placed in other state-run orphanages.

The orphanage has been told the denial of the permit was due its running a shelter for both boys and girls under one license, CP reports. However, the orphanage claims this is not against the law.

Moreover, the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, filed a complaint against the orphanage, accusing its founder of violating the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, CP reports. The complaint is consistent with the use of the state’s harsh anti-conversion law that was implemented in 2021 with the stated aim of preventing Hindus from being forcibly converted to other religions.

Christians make up just 0.29% of Madhya Pradesh’s population of over 72 million, more than 80% of whom are Hindus, CP notes.

India is ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, and ranks 11th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

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