By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor
A Christian orphanage in a central Indian state has been denied a renewal of its permit to receive foreign charitable funds, intensifying concerns about religious freedom and governmental oversight in the country governed by a Hindu nationalist party.
The Department for Women and Child Development in Madhya Pradesh state declined to renew the license for Adharshila Sansthan, an orphanage in Damoh district managed by a Protestant couple, UCA News reported.
The state is governed by the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
An official from the orphanage, who wished to remain anonymous, was quoted as saying that they have been operating since 2005 and have always complied with legal requirements.
The orphanage has facilitated the adoption of 18 children by foreign couples and 27 by Indian couples. Currently, 11 girls and five boys are ready for adoption and will be transferred to other state-run orphanages.
The state’s child rights panel accused the orphanage of not adhering to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act on Sept. 5. The main reason cited for the denial was that the orphanage was running boys’ and girls’ hostels under one license, which the orphanage official says is not prohibited by law.
Praksha Pathak, Damoh district chairperson of the child rights panel, was quoted as saying that decisions about relocating the children are pending. She declined to provide further details, citing confidentiality.
Church officials claim that the state government has been targeting Christian institutions like schools, hostels and orphanages.
Madhya Pradesh has also enforced a stringent “anti-conversion” law since 2021.
Priyank Kanoongo, chairperson of the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, filed a complaint against the orphanage and its founder, Dr. Ajay Lall, on Nov. 13, 2022. The complaint accuses the orphanage of violating the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, and the case is still under investigation.
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