INDIA: CHRISTIANS FACE RISE IN ATTACKS AFTER NEW LAW IS PASSED

Christians in the Indian state of Rajasthan have suffered an increase in attacks just weeks after the state assembly passed a strict anti-conversion law.

Under the new bill, those converting to a new religion will require the permission of the local authorities, and those found to be forcing or inciting people to leave Hinduism could face severe punishments, from life imprisonment to fines up to the equivalent of around £21,000. Properties could also face confiscation and even demolition. All offences are non-bailable.

The new stricter law is designed to ensure Indian nationals remain as Hindu’s. Increasingly in India, those in power are saying that being Indian means being Hindu. That puts massive pressure on those who are Christians and those who have converted to Christianity, as the implication is, if they aren’t Hindu, they aren’t real Indians.

The law is set to stoke tensions and give Hindu extremists an easy way to target Christians and Christian leaders by saying they are forcing people to leave Hinduism.

Police side with extremists

Since the bill’s passage in September, there have already been five attacks, heightening fear and uncertainty amongst believers.

In one incident on 21 September, some 20 Christians had gathered for a service when Hindutva extremists barged in, accusing the pastor of forcibly converting people. When the believers defended their pastor against the false accusations, the extremists verbally abused and physically assaulted them. They were threatened them with death unless they renounced their faith. Several were hospitalised.

Instead of reprimanding the extremists, the police arrested and imprisoned the pastor, but, after lawyers intervened, he was released. No legal action has yet been taken against the attackers.

Vocal opposition

“After the anti-conversion law was introduced in the State Assembly, Hindutva extremists have become more active, targeting Christian gatherings and accusing pastors of false conversions,” shares Shiv Rathod*, an Open Doors local partner.

When the bill was passed last month, opposition parties walked out in protest, stating it would bring tension and disharmony. Several Christian organisations and leaders have since challenged it, arguing that it contravenes Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which grants citizens the fundamental right to freedom of religion. Other civic groups have also raised concerns.

“With the passing of this bill, the most vulnerable are the Christians,” explains Shiv. “In the last 18 months, more than 150 persecution incidents have been reported in Rajasthan, where pastors have been arrested on false charges of coercive conversion, church services disrupted and many house churches closed. Christian believers are threatened to renounce their faith and return to their old religion. The law also states that those who return to their ancestral religion [Hinduism] will be exempted from the law.”

Despite the risks, Open Doors local partners are reaching out to churches in India with persecution survival training and programmes, as well as providing immediate assistance to affected victims, wherever possible. Please pray for our partners and church family across India today – use the points below…

*Name changed for security reasons