What next for India’s beleaguered Christian minority?

What next for India’s beleaguered Christian minority?
Fifty religious leaders from the Christian and Muslim minorities in India met together last week to discuss the religious freedom challenges facing both groups under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Christians are “facing physical, symbolic and structural violence” from Hindu extremists across the country, said Father Z. Devasagaya Raj at . . . Read More

Indian Supreme Court rules compensation for worst-ever anti-Christian violence ‘not enough’

Indian Supreme Court rules compensation for worst-ever anti-Christian violence ‘not enough’
India’s Supreme Court Chief Justice has ordered that adequate compensation has not yet been paid to the victims – in 2008 – of religiously-motivated violence by Hindus against Christians in the Kandhamal district of Odisha (formerly Orissa), eastern India. The success of the petition, brought by Raphel Cheenath, the local . . . Read More

India’s Christians are under attack

India’s Christians are under attack
Rahul Nayak, 25, the eldest son of Dhubaleswar and Bhubudi Nayak, a Christian couple shot dead in Odisha in July.Campaign Against Fabricated Cases   The number of violent attacks on Christians and churches in India increased over the summer months. Below, World Watch Monitor lists 18 incidents from July, August and . . . Read More

Sixth Indian state seeks to adopt ‘anti-conversion law’

Sixth Indian state seeks to adopt ‘anti-conversion law’
A sixth Indian state is debating the introduction of an “anti-conversion law”. Maharashtra would follow Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh in implementing a Freedom of Religion Act, which seems harmless in name, but in practice discourages evangelism, as Vishal Arora reports in the video below. Learn more: . . . Read More

Indian Christians sentenced to life terms will appeal

Indian Christians sentenced to life terms will appeal
India’s churches are urging an appeal of the lifetime sentences handed down on Oct. 3 to seven men convicted for the 2008 murder of a prominent Hindu leader. “The seven Christians are innocent,” said Rev. Charles Irudayam, executive secretary of the Office for Justice, Peace and Development within the Catholic Bishops’ . . . Read More