India, Nov. 10 -- 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 vulner...