Photo: Wikimedia / Nikhil More (cc)
A legislator in India's Maharashtra state has publicly announced the issuance of bounties on the lives of Christians who visit villages for the purpose of proselytization. In a speech that he made on June 17th, Gopichand Padalkar offered rewards ranging from 300,000 rupees (about $4,800 CAD) for assaulting a Gospel worker to over one million rupees (approximately $17,500 CAD) for killing a pastor. The legislator's remarks were made in retaliation, following the suicide of a young woman who had allegedly been pressured by her in-laws to pay a customary dowry and adhere to the family's belief in Christianity.
The official's recent announcement has sparked widespread concerns among India's Christians. Various protests have since been held throughout Maharashtra, with demonstrators demanding that Gopichand Padalkar face criminal charges for inciting violence and promoting religious hatred. The Christian community is also calling for the governing official's expulsion from state legislature. Thankfully, some dissent over the official's life-threatening stance has even taken place within his own political party. While Gopichand is a member of the Hindu-nationalist BJP – a party known for supporting anti-conversion legislation – some BJP leaders have publicly condemned his remarks which they consider "irresponsible" and unrepresentative of the party's official stance.
This incident comes amid a broader rise in hate speech and hostility towards religious minorities throughout various parts of India. Additionally, the enforcement of anti-conversion laws, which are often used to target Christians, has been gaining traction across the country. On July 9th, officials working for the Maharashtra state government announced that they will be enacting their own anti-conversion legislation, making this Indian state the 11th with related laws. Such measures have frequently been used to intimidate and oppress religious minorities. To review previously published reports addressing the challenges encountered by Christians in India, go to our country profile.
- Pray that our Christian brothers and sisters in India will receive God's wisdom and discernment as they seek ways to appropriately deal with the hostility inflicted against them, so that they may respond to their opposers with grace and unwavering hope.
- Ask the Lord to shield the pastors and evangelists in Maharashtra state from harm by thwarting any violent schemes of the enemy and ensuring peace prevails over discord.
- May the Holy Spirit move mightily within the hearts of India's governing and judicial leaders – at the local, state and federal levels – bringing about policies that promote tolerance, justice and mutual respect for all of the country's religious communities.
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