Election Results Bring Renewed Hope for Christians

19 May 2004

As Indian voters went to the polls, a close election was expected, but one which would return to power the ruling Hindu nationalist BJP party. Instead, in what Indian Christians consider an answer to prayer, the secular National Congress Party gained a surprisingly decisive victory. Dr. Joseph D'Souza from the All India Christian Council told Assist News Service on May 14 that, while persecution of Christians will likely continue at the state level in some parts of India, there is an expectation of change on the national level, respecting the rights of all people, including religious minorities.

^{Selvi J. Jayalalithaa
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu}

Almost immediately, effects of the election were seen in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. After devastating election results in which her party failed to gain a single seat in the national elections, Selvi J. Jayalalithaa, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, announced a number of legislative changes on May 18, including the immediate repeal of the state's controversial anti-conversion law. Jayalalithaa claimed that the decision was based on requests from religious minorities as well as to "clear any misconception" on the intention of the law.

In response to India's election results, VOM spokesman, Glenn Penner, said, "We are delighted to see the defeat of the BJP party in India. Under their rule, Hindu militants have felt free to intimidate and attack religious minorities without fear of significant consequences. Together with India's Christians, we rejoice in the hope of greater religious freedom in this great country. We particularly welcome Tamil Nadu's repeal of the anti-conversion law and urge similar action in the remaining states that have passed such restrictive legislation."

The June edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter will feature an article on the situation facing Christians in India. Click here to subscribe now to our newsletter. For more information on persecution of Christians in India, click here.

India

India Information

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC assists persecuted Christians with legal support and rehabilitation assistance, and cares for children of martyrs by providing them with a safe place to be nurtured physical and spiritually. VOMC also partners to equip Christians in India with Biblical training and works to strengthen and support marginalized and persecuted Christian women. Additionally, VOMC helps to provide medical assistance to believers who have faced injuries after being attacked.”

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defense, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry, Medical Fund
Country Information
Population
1,399,179,585 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), other (3)

Religion (%)
Hinduism (79.8), Muslim (14.2), Christianity (2.3), Sikh (1.7), other (2)

Leader
President Droupadi Murmu (2022)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Based on English common law; separate personal law codes apply to Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for India
Despite the intimidation and violence that have taken place in many of India's states, may Christians wisely yet unashamedly preach the Gospel. Pray that indigenous Christians and foreign missionaries will minister in ways that do not hint at fraudulent conversions, unmasking the intentions behind the anti-conversion legislation. Intercede for India's leaders, that they may reign with justice and righteousness.

India News

Pastor Acquitted of Anti-Conversion Charges

Believers in India.
Photo: VOMC

In October 2021, Pastor Nandan Singh was gathered with 25 other Christians for an all-night prayer meeting when militant Hindus, primarily from nearby villages, stormed into his home. Accused of converting people to Christianity, Pastor Nandan became the first individual to be charged under Uttarakhand's anti-conversion legislation.

Read more...
Supreme Court to Review Anti-Conversion Laws

The Supreme Court of India.
Photo: Wikimedia / Subhashish Panigrahi (cc)

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a series of petitions challenging the constitutionality of anti-conversion laws enacted by several of the country's states. On September 16th, the court issued notices to the respective state governments, requesting their formal responses within four weeks. The case is scheduled to be heard in six weeks, and the judges have indicated that they may consider ordering the states to pause the enforcement of their existing laws until a decision is made.

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New Policies Further Restrict Religious Freedom

A church in India.
Photo: Flickr / Ashish Kumar Milap (cc)

Recent developments in two Indian states have raised serious concerns for Christians, particularly in relation to the newly heightened restrictions on religious conversions. In the first incident, police in Chhattisgarh notified more than 200 house churches around the state capital city of Raipur that worship gatherings within private homes are no longer permitted.

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Pastors Arrested and Assaulted

A screenshot of people disrupting the service in Bhilai.
Photo: Morning Star News

On July 20th, six pastors were arrested after a mob disrupted a church service in Bhilai, a city located within the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The assailants chanted Hindu slogans and accused the pastors of engaging in forcible conversions. As the mob grew increasingly vocal, shouting obscenities and threatening violence, Pastor Baksh locked the church doors to protect his congregation members.

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