MUMBAI: Several Protestant churches in Maharashtra have cancelled or scaled back their Vacation Bible School (VBS) programmes for children during the Diwali break this year, with some restricting participation to Christian children. The move follows disruptions at prayer meetings in the Mumbai region and the implementation of the state's new anti-conversion law.
Bishop Prakash D Patole, who heads the Church of North India's (CNI) Marathwada Diocese, told The Sunday Express, "For the first time, this year, we have suggested to the Protestant churches in our state to not hold VBS during the Diwali break."
The advisory is aimed mainly at smaller churches operating from rented premises, which church leaders believe are more vulnerable to allegations that their gatherings are being used for religious conversions.
Dr Shakti Waghe, a member of the CNI Mumbai pastorate committee, said many churches in Mumbai are skipping the programme this year, although there is no formal directive from the denomination. Robin Salve, secretary of the CNI's Nashik and Ahilyanagar Diocese, said, "We are living in such a tough time that any programme we hold, we will be questioned."
Rev Tennison Peter, executive secretary of the Methodist Churches in Maharashtra, said pastors in the Mumbai region had been advised to remain vigilant and put up notices stating that the programme was meant only for Christian children.
The decisions follow disruptions at prayer meetings held in rented halls, schools and homes in the Mumbai region. People identifying themselves as Bajrang Dal or Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) workers disrupted the gatherings, alleging that religious conversions were taking place. Nine FIRs were registered in connection with five such incidents between April and July, seven of them against organisers and worshippers.
The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, which places the burden of proving that a conversion was voluntary on the person facilitating it, came into force on August 28.
Rev Sunil Raut, secretary of the CNI's Pune, Solapur, Latur and Osmanabad diocese, said St Mary's Church in Pune would hold its VBS programme exclusively for Christian children, despite having its own premises. He said smaller churches without their own property had been advised to exercise caution.
Manjusha Stephenson, secretary of the CNI Nagpur Diocese and principal of Bishop Cotton School, said children from different faiths continued to attend VBS at All Saints Cathedral, which has its own school and premises. (with inputs from media organisations)