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India

  • Christians Injured in Church Attack

    A village in Chhattisgarh where Christians frequently face opposition.
    A village in Chhattisgarh.
    Photo: Flickr / United Nations Development Programme (CC)

    More than 25 Christians – including children and elderly believers – were injured when a worship service was violently disrupted by Hindu nationalists on May 31st. The attack occurred in the village of Sadrapal, which is located within Chhattisgarh State, as more than 60 Christians gathered for worship. Among those injured were Pastor Hunga Mandavi and his pregnant wife. During the assault, the attackers demanded that the congregants renounce their faith in Christ.

  • Christian Families Denied Access to Basic Resources

    People are gathered at an outdoor water pump.
    People drawing water in Chhattisgarh.
    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.

  • Increased Harassment Since New Anti-Conversion Laws

    A prayer meeting in India.
    Photo: VOMC

    On the morning of May 10th, members of a Hindu nationalist organization travelled to disrupt several worship services in the city of Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, where they verbally confronted the churches' pastors and demanded to see their identification papers. In some cases, police were also present to monitor the situation.

  • Harsh Anti-Conversion Laws in Chhattisgarh

    A man has his Bible open and is talking to two others.
    A pastor is sharing the Gospel in India.
    Photo: VOM International

    While many Indian states have instituted laws aimed at preventing coerced or forced religious conversions, the newly passed legislation in Chhattisgarh is notably more severe. Signed into effect by the governor on April 7th, the recently implemented law replaces a 1968 statute that Christian leaders say was frequently used as a weapon against minority communities.

  • Court Reiterates Privileges for Specified Religions

    The India Supreme Court building is surrounded by trees.
    India's Supreme Court Building
    Photo: Wikimedia / Subhashish Panigrahi (CC)

    In India, where the caste system remains deeply embedded within the framework of societal standards, those belonging to the lowest castes are classified as "scheduled castes" or "Dalits." Although historically marginalized, and often subjected to severe social discrimination, members of the lower castes receive constitutional protections and access to certain governmental benefits.

  • Christians Denied Burial Permission

    Houses line an old stone street in India.
    A village in India.
    Photo: Flickr / Rakshit Pandey (CC)

    A Christian family residing in a tribal village of Chhattisgarh state has been denied permission to bury a relative who passed away, unless they first convert to Hinduism. Local villagers claim that allowing a Christian burial would defile their land and anger their deities.

  • Christians Slain by Opposing Family Members

    The victims' house is very full.
    A prayer meeting in the home of the deceased.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    In a tribal region of Odisha State, three members of a Christian family were recently killed by close relatives, leaving three children orphaned and now in hiding. The incident took place in the village of Nialijharan on January 25th, claiming the lives of Jitendra Soren and his wife Malati, along with their 15-year-old daughter Sasmita.

  • Pastor Injured in Brutal Mob Violence

    Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik appears to be stressed as he walks through the street with sandals draped around his neck. A crowd surrounds and is following him.
    Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik being paraded in the street.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik had just gathered with other believers for prayer in the village of Kandarsinga, Odisha State, on January 4th when a group of men burst into the home where the meeting was taking place. The men dragged the pastor outside and began to violently assault him. When Pastor Bipin's wife attempted to intervene, she was threatened with similar treatment.

  • Attack on Evangelistic Team

    A small red bus is travelling on a street in India.
    A small bus in India.
    Photo: Wikimedia / Karthikndr (CC)

    A Christian evangelistic team was brutally attacked in early January near the village of Korrakudu in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Not only were several believers injured during the ambush, the minibus they had been travelling in was also destroyed.

  • India - Year in Review

    Several people are gathered on the floor, praying together.
    Photo: VOMC

    Anti-conversion laws in various states still present major challenges for Christians in this South Asian country. While many accusations have little to do with actual religious conversions, these laws are often used to shut down churches or punish individual believers. Additionally, such allegations frequently incite mob violence.