Persecution Sanctioned by Authorities

Christians sitting in a hallway - Photo: Morning Star News
Christians awaiting interrogation.
Photo: Morning Star News

Persecution in India comes from many sources. Religious disagreements among family or neighbours can escalate to violence, or Hindu leaders may openly oppose the spread of the Gospel in a community. While such incidents may be reported to the police, legal assistance does not always result. In many instances, police may even join in the harassment of Christians.

On February 7th, armed Hindu militants disrupted the worship services of two churches in the Madhya Pradesh state. The attackers beat congregation members and then persuaded the police to arrest more than 20 Christians on the allegation that they were taking part in "forcible conversions."

The police, aware of the planned attacks beforehand, arrived at the villages before the violence began. However, they did nothing to prevent the damages done to church buildings or the physical assaults committed against the congregants. Pastor Malsingh Meda from the village of Bhamdakhapar was arrested along with 21 members of his church. Also arrested was Pastor Dilipsingh Vasunia from Jambukheda village. Both were released on bail, pending trial.

On February 21st, local police joined with militants to disrupt a prayer meeting in the Ambedkarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. They verbally abused the pastor and warned that he would be arrested and jailed on religious conversion charges if he conducted church services again.

Six days later, a Christian man, Prakash Narayan, was detained along with his family in Kallur village, Karnataka, where they were visiting another Christian family. Some local villagers complained to police that the family had been involved in religious conversions. Following an interrogation session, Prakash and his family were released after they signed a statement affirming that their visit was not connected with any conversions.

These are just a few of the recent incidents involving the police. To learn more about the persecution of Christians in India, go to our country report.

Remember these believers in India who are encountering ongoing harassment from family members and neighbours, as well as governing authorities. May those in power recognize their responsibility to equally represent all citizens in what is constitutionally to be a democratic nation. Pray that all Christians facing opposition will respond with words and actions that reflect the love and grace of God, ultimately bringing many more to faith in Him through Jesus Christ.

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

  • Supreme Court to Review Anti-Conversion Laws
    The India Supreme Court building is surrounded by trees.
    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.

  • New Policies Further Restrict Religious Freedom
    A brightly lit church building is filled with people.
    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.

  • Pastors Arrested and Assaulted
    A crowd is gathered around a church building.
    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.

  • Severe Restrictions Accompany Anti-Conversion Legislation
    A church congregation is gathered during a service.
    A church in India.
    Photo: World Watch Monitor

    In early July, the Maharashtra state government announced plans to introduce stringent anti-conversion legislation. The new laws, which are expected to be the most severe of their kind in the country, are particularly aimed at preventing religious conversions within tribal communities. While the stated intent is to prevent incidents of coercion, legislators have used language demonstrating a broader aim to restrict religious conversions of any sort. During the announcement, the state's revenue minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, declared that the law would be so strict "no one will dare to undertake religious conversion."