Photo: Wikimedia / Sandipanraha (cc)
A wave of violent incidents marred Christmas celebrations across India, even as Prime Minister Modi extolled the virtues of "love" and "harmony" in his Christmas speech and social media posts. The recently occurring acts of violence against followers of Jesus, which took place in at least ten states across India, were particularly instigated by Hindu nationalist groups in their determination to rid the nation of Christian influence.
While the southern state of Kerala is generally known for its communal harmony, right-wing activists attacked a government-operated school in Palakkad during the Christmas celebrations, leading to widespread protests. Elsewhere in Kerala, a manger scene was destroyed.
In Punjab, a Pentecostal pastor had been attacked for allegedly attempting to convert Hindus. In Rajasthan, teachers and students in schools celebrating Christmas were also assaulted. Additionally, in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, protestors barged into a house where Christians had gathered for worship and demanded that the believers stop the service.
Other recent incidents perpetrated by Hindu militants around the country include: harassing a food delivery employee who was dressed as Santa Claus, destroying a statue of Mary (the mother of Jesus), and chanting loudly to drown out the sounds associated with Christmas festivities. In multiple cases across the nation, worship gatherings were also disrupted by protestors.
One of the most violent incidents that occurred during the Christmas season involved two women and a man who were severely beaten in Odisha for alleged conversion activities. The women were then tied to a tree and forced to chant the names of Hindu gods.
In the aftermath of this sudden surge in attacks, more than 400 Christian leaders and 30 church groups submitted an urgent appeal to India's president and prime minister calling for "immediate and decisive action" to curb this type of mob violence and deal with systemic concerns, including anti-conversion laws and escalating anti-Christian hate speech. The December 31st letter stated that "rising hate speech, especially from elected officials, has emboldened acts of violence against Christians."
In 2024, the Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India recorded more than 720 incidents of violence targeting Indian Christians. For more details on the concerning challenges experienced by followers of Jesus in this South Asian country, and/or to access previously posted written and video reports, visit our country profile.
- Pray that appropriate action will be taken by India's governing leaders to quell the divisive demands of violent nationalist groups and establish lasting sectarian harmony.
- Prayerfully uphold the many believers throughout the nation who are continuing to faithfully gather together for worship despite the opposition and threatening risks, asking the Lord to provide them His divine protection and peace.
- Ask for God's wisdom to be granted to Christian leaders and advocates in their endeavours to raise a voice on behalf of Indian believers who have suffered terrible injustices and abuses for their faith in Jesus.
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