For many years, the Hindu Nationalist organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been an influential factor in Indian politics, particularly within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). One of the goals of the RSS is to change India from a secular democracy to a nation governed by Hindu polity. This is being achieved by the passing of anti-conversion laws to prevent people from converting from Hinduism.
At least nine states have now passed anti-conversion legislation, including, the Uttar Pradesh state in November. Under this legislation, police have arrested four people – one of them, a Korean national. The four had been distributing aid to people affected by the COVID-19 lockdown and, according to the aid organiser, two of those arrested were not even Christians. No mention was made to the aid recipients of their need to change religion, and no money was given or promised to coerce them. At last report, attempts were being made to secure bail for the detained humanitarian workers.
On 9 January, one of the states that already had anti-conversion legislation, passed newer and tighter restrictions. According to the newly implemented rules of Madhya Pradesh state, anyone wanting to change their faith must obtain official permission 60 days in advance or they could face up to ten years in prison and a fine of $890.
These laws intend to prevent conversion by bribery or coercion but, in practice, they are being used by militants to intimidate and harm religious minorities. For Hindus however, the laws do not seem to apply. There are also numerous reports of coercion being used to convert people to Hinduism in a process called Ghar wapsi which translated means, ‘a homecoming’.
According to a year-end report from Release International, it is expected that Christian persecution in India will increase during 2021 due to the growing influence of Hindu nationalism.
Sources: Release International, Mission Network News, World Watch Monitor
- Pray for churches and Christian organisations throughout India that are encountering increasing pressures by governing officials and community members.
- May the Lord give these believers and their leaders wisdom and direction as they seek to share the Gospel, and the courage to follow His leading in the midst of opposition.
- Pray that those recently arrested will be released and that all charges against them will be dropped.
Post your prayer in the comments below.
Heavenly Father,
We lift to you the people of India. We ask that You would bless and protect Your people, the believers and their leaders, as they pray and seek your wisdom and guidance. Embolden them Lord, to remain steadfast in their faith, to have compassion upon the lost in this nation and to continue to make known the precious truth found only in Christ.
May your favour be upon those who have been imprisoned for choosing to live in obedience to You, that the charges made against them will be dropped.
May these measures to prevent people from turning to Christ, come to nothing. For those You have already chosen in the nation of India, will be Yours and no scheme of man can change that.
In Jesus’ precious name I pray.
Father, thank You for the faith of our brothers and sisters in India. Thank You for the churches and Christian organisations that exist there and for those distributing care packages because of lockdown. Please strengthen them in love, grace and patience in the midst of increasing pressure, that they would be light and salt, and they would have courage to persevere. Father, please build Your church in the midst of persecution and reassure the faith of those who are persecuted, especially those who have been arrested. Let them hold fast to the faith to which they profess, that after everything, they might stand, blameless, because You are the Judge and our Redeemer. May You give the authorities discernment, that they would retain an independent democracy and not be swayed by extremism or prejudice. Lord, please call to Yourself those whom You have chosen and raise up workers for this harvest field. Let us pray all the more as we wait and give us, Your people, here, there in India, everywhere, courage to be bold, faithful in bearing witness and gentle in proclaiming truth. Let people hear, and turn that You would heal and restore us!
In Jesus’ Name
Amen and amen R! To God’s glory!
Amen Renee, Amen
Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth, the author of life and giver of Eternal Life in Christ, we give thanks for the witness of your peoples in India, We pray for this nation, its leaders, particularly PM Narendra Modi, its parliaments and peoples. Lord, they need deliverance, which only you can give. We pray especially your special grace on those being persecuted and incarcerated at this time because of their faith in Jesus and unjust laws seeking to strengthen Hindu Nationalism. Give grace, wisdom and discernment as Church Leaders and believers seek to respond in a manner worthy of the Gospel. Pour out your Spirit, Lord Jesus and bring to faith and repentance millions of Indians who are enslaved to sin and the evil one. May the Gospel of Christ make progress and all to your glory.