In a January prayer update, Open Doors USA reported that acts of violence against Christians occurred nearly every day of 2015. They quoted a leader of a Christian advocacy group in India. He said, “the country saw 355 incidents of violence, including 200 major incidents, during the last year.”
The cause of this violence is believed to be the result of tightening anti-conversion laws. These laws forbid conversions from Hinduism out of “allurement” or “force.”
Many suspect that the increased violence against Christians, Muslims, and other non-Hindus is a result of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Bharatiya Janata Party is also know as the BJP. As the BJP has risen to power, many Hindu nationalist groups have felt more freedom to target Christians.
According to a Christian activist, Hindu fundamentalists want to criminalize Christian social work. In addition, they want to criminalize even the social work groups’ presence. They present it as a conspiracy by Western powers.
As persecution in India continues to escalate, we need to stand with our brothers and sisters in India. We need to support Christians as they face violence as the global body of Christ. During Secret Church 16: A Global Gospel in a World of Religions, we will pray for the persecuted church in India. If you haven’t already, sign up for the simulcast. Join us as we hear from God’s word. And pray with us for his church in India.
