Photo: Unsplash / Wietse Jongsma
More than 180 Christian families from 32 villages in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh have reportedly been denied access to communal water supplies and livelihood opportunities for refusing to renounce their faith in Jesus.
Some of the families were restricted from using rivers, ponds or well pumps to meet their daily water needs. Others have been excluded from government-assistance programs intended to support marginalized tribal communities. In a few cases, some families also had their firewood confiscated.
Complaints regarding the denial of these basic life-sustaining resources have been submitted to local police and governing leaders, raising concerns about the lack of equality and protection of the victimized citizens' constitutional rights. Christian leaders from the Progressive Christian Alliance have emphasized that "any denial based on religion, if established, should raise serious constitutional and human rights concerns."
Despite such appeals, many believers continue to experience severe hardships in their communities. To review previously posted Persecution & Prayer Alert reports concerning the mistreatment of Christians in India, visit our country profile.
- Pray that the affected Christian families will reflect God's grace and love even in the midst of hardship, finding daily comfort in His loving presence and provision.
- May the Lord's wisdom, guidance and perseverance be imparted to all who are diligently seeking a just and peaceful resolution to the families' alarming, life-threatening situations.
- Intercede on behalf of India's governing political and judicial representatives, asking that their decisions be moved with compassion and a commitment to fairness, so that all citizens will be treated with equality and dignity.
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