In Uttar Pradesh, a man has been arrested after publicly humiliating his son for converting to Christianity.

At a local government meeting, Shivraj Singh, aged 65, demanded a “social boycott” of his son’s family, according to the Times of India.

His son and daughter-in-law were in attendance at the community meeting, wearing a “garland of shoes” around their necks as a punishment for their alleged conversion.

Video footage of the incident prompted a response from local police, who have now launched an investigation into the father’s actions.

The son, 40-year-old Balram Singh, is a fairground ride operator. His father claimed he was “suspicious” of his son converting away from Hinduism, after he refused to partake in Hindu food offering rituals.

Balram’s brother, Tarachand, allegedly joined his father in berating and physically assaulting him.

A local officer said that both Tarachand and Shivraj have been arrested, and that “necessary legal steps will be taken”.

Christian conversions remain controversial in tight-knit Indian communities. Persecution watchdog Open Doors ranks the country as the twelfth most dangerous place to be a Christian.