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RAIPUR, INDIA, July 21, 2002: Christian bodies in Ambikapur, district headquarters of Sarguja, observed a general strike in missionary schools protesting against the conviction and jailing of a nun on charges of illegal conversion. The Shiv Sena and the BJP called the strike — organized to express solidarity with nun Vrishi Ekka — a provocative step. They also organized counter-demonstrations. The nun is now in jail, serving a six-month term. Police had to step in to restore order in the town, arresting nearly a dozen protesters and keeping a close watch on the situation which remains tense. The action against Ekka and L. Birje, a local priest now dead, was registered in 1994 when 94 people from 19 Hindu families converted to Christianity. They were charged under Section 5 of the Madhya Pradesh State Dharm Swatantra Adhiniyam, 1968. In 1996, the nun along with the priest were convicted by a lower court and sentenced to six months imprisonment and imposed to pay a fine of US$10.20. Ekka filed an appeal and was out on bail. Last week the Ambikapur court upheld the lower court order, and she was remanded to custody.

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