Police detained dozens of Catholics singing Christmas carols for allegedly trying to convert people, officials said Friday, as fears grow over religious freedom in India. Mascarenhas said 32 Catholics, including two priests, were detained while “conducting a routine Christmas carol singing programme”. He said carol singing had been a part of the Christmas season in Satna “for the last 30 years”. Police in Satna told AFP they had detained the group for questioning after a resident complained about being “lured by a group of Christians to convert”. Eight other priests who went to the police station to look for the detained group were also taken into custody, investigating officer Mohini Sharma told AFP.

Source: Punch December 15, 2017 15:45 UTC