Photo: Wikimedia / Strange Burg (cc)
Around 120 tribal Christians from two villages in Odisha State were forcibly "reconverted" to Hinduism on August 4th during a ceremony known as "ghar wapsi" (meaning "homecoming"). The ceremony involved Hindu and tribal rituals which are believed to "cleanse" those who had previously accepted Christ and wash away any remnants of Christianity.
According to some of the Christian villagers who were forced to participate, the event took place following intense pressure from local governing authorities who had stopped providing followers of Jesus with subsidized food, including basics such as rice and lentils. Hindu leaders also barred Christian families from accessing the local water well unless they agreed to take part in the conversion ceremony.
During the incident, 83 men from 19 families were pressured into "reconverting" to Hinduism, along with several women and girls who were likewise forced to participate in the ceremony. Some of the families had been Christians dating back by four generations. Despite the long Christian heritage of these community members, Hindu nationalists throughout the country believe that to be Indian is to be Hindu. Further reports on the persecution encountered by Christians in India are available at our country profile.
Please intercede on behalf of all the villagers who were recently forced to participate in the reconversion ceremony. Pray that those who remained Christians within their hearts will be mindful that Christ has not forsaken them and that they can turn to Him at any time. Despite the persecution taking place in various areas of India, may the "Good News" of Jesus reach the country's general populace, including those who are fiercely opposed to the Gospel message – in hopes that many more hearts will become open and receptive to God's love, mercy and saving grace.
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