‘Token’ arrests frustrate Indian bishop

An Indian bishop has accused police of ‘tokenism’ after they swiftly released on bail six suspects allegedly caught on camera vandalising a cathedral in central India on March 20. “Such kind of tokenism from police [will] not help bring in confidence among beleaguered Christians,” said Bishop Gerald Almeida. The men were . . . Read More

Ahead of Obama’s visit, India’s Christians start hotline on Hindu harassment

Ahead of Obama’s visit, India’s Christians start hotline on Hindu harassment
President Modi welcomes President Barack Obama & Michelle Obama to India on 25 January 2015.Photo: narendramodi.in   President Obama ended his visit to India with a speech referring to religious freedom which has been interpreted as an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s treatment of minority faiths, although Modi was . . . Read More

10 arrested for insulting Hinduism

When police in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh determined there was nothing to support accusations that 10 Christians had tried to bribe a Hindu into conversion, the Christians were then accused of insulting Hinduism. The Indian Express reported that police arrested the Christians — five men and five . . . Read More

Madhya Pradesh awaits decision on stricter ‘anti-conversion law’

Madhya Pradesh awaits decision on stricter ‘anti-conversion law’
Protesters gather in Jhabua, a town in the west of Madhya Pradesh, on July 24.World Watch Monitor   Madhya Pradesh state in central India awaits the outcome of proposed amendments to its ‘anti-conversion law’, which would lengthen prison time and fines for anyone convicted of forcing someone to change their . . . Read More

India: Persecution Briefs

India: Persecution Briefs
India ranks No. 31 on the 2013 World Watch List, a ranking of the 50 countries where living as a Christian is most difficult. The list is created annually by Open Doors International, a worldwide ministry to Christians who live under pressure because of their faith. Most Christians live openly . . . Read More

India briefs: Recent incidents of persecution

India briefs: Recent incidents of persecution
In towns across India, Hindu extremists continued to pressure Christian churches in September. The usual pattern: After the disruption of church or worship services, Christians were physically assaulted and sometimes arrested and jailed on suspicion of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. Three of the Indian states included in this roundup . . . Read More

India briefs: recent incidents of persecution

India briefs: recent incidents of persecution
Police arrested three Christians on charges of “abetment of a thing” in Hubli, after Hindu extremists verbally abused them and seized tracts from them on June 21. The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) reported that at about 2:30 p.m. Pastor Manju Nath and two Christians identified only as Stella . . . Read More

Briefs: recent incidents of persecution

Briefs: recent incidents of persecution
Police arrested five Christians on March 25 in Dhanegaon, Chhinwara, after Hindu extremists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh attacked them and accused them of forceful conversion. A source told World Watch Monitor the extremists barged into the Sunday worship service of Bharatiya Pratna Bhawan (India Prayer Hall), beat pastor Harichand . . . Read More

India Briefs: Recent Incidents of Persecution

India Briefs: Recent Incidents of Persecution
Police arrested a Christian after Hindu extremists on Dec. 22 accused him of forceful conversion in Nagarcoil. The Global Council of Indian Christians reported that Hindu extremists accused Sagaya Dass of forceful conversion after he and students from SP Hindu College organised a Christmas program. The extremists filed a police . . . Read More