Rajasthan's Governor Refuses to Sign Anti-Conversion Bill
Rajasthan's governor, Pratibha Patil
On April 12, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported that anti-conversion legislation had passed the Rajasthan state legislature and would come into effect once details had been worked out (click here for more details). What was unforeseen was a move on May 19 by the state governor, Pratibha Patil, who refused to sign the bill into law, saying that it would violate religious freedom. Upon returning the bill to the state assembly, the governor said the bill could be referred to India's president if the assembly so desired. While Rajasthan's government is controlled by the Hindu-based Bharatiya Janata Party, the federal government is controlled by the more secular United Progressive Alliance.
"We are happy that the governor took a bold step," said Dr. Joseph D'souza, president of the All India Christian Council. Praise the Lord that Governor Patil has listened to the concerns of religious minorities in her state and has stopped this legislation. Continue to pray for religious equality in India.
Be sure to receive next month's edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter which features the persecution to India's Christians. Subscribe today on our newsletter page. VOMC is also pleased to offer for sale Joseph D'souza's book, "Dalit Freedom," online for only $10.00. Go to our online catalogue for more details.
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.”
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.
Graham Staines with sons Philip and Timothy. Photo: VOM USA
On January 23rd, 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines, along with his two young sons Philip and Timothy, were burned to death by Hindu nationalist militants. Initially, authorities denied that the assailants had any connection to the Hindu nationalist group, Bajrang Dal, though such ties were later substantiated. While 14 men had been arrested in connection with the incident, 12 of the perpetrators were acquitted due to lack of evidence. The other two men, Mahendra Hembram and Dara Singh, were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Two busloads of Christians that had embarked on a Lenten pilgrimage tour were stopped by members of a Hindu nationalist group on March 31st and subsequently handed over to police. The incident led to the physical and verbal assault of some Christian leaders.
Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. Photo: India Prime Minister's Office (GODL-India)
The Chief Minister for the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has publicly announced plans to impose the death penalty on those convicted of forced or fraudulent religious conversions. In a public meeting for International Women's Day on March 8th, Mohan Yadav equated such conversions with child molestation, stating that both crimes warrant the imposition of capital punishment. Later that evening, the state government released a statement affirming the announcement made by Mohan.
On February 19th, a group of pastors had gathered in Kusumba Village, a town located in the Jalgaon District of Maharashtra, India. As the meeting was taking place, a mob of approximately 400 Hindu nationalists suddenly attacked, brutally assaulting many of the pastors. As a result of the violence, two of the church leaders were left in critical condition.
Population
