Hindu extremists attack Christians at funeral

Anti-Christian sentiment continues to rise across India, especially amongst those influenced by ‘Hindutva’ ideology (the belief that all Indians must be Hindus). Spurred along by the misapplication of ‘anti-conversion laws’ (Open Doors has a great analysis of that here), violent mobs have attacked Christians, as well as their churches, homes and businesses.

This has had horrifying consequences for many of our Bibles for Mideast church leaders and members, including most recently in the tribal-dominated Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Back in December, mobs attacked tribal Christians in Chhattisgarh, leaving thousands displaced from their homes.

“The Christians in Chhattisgarh were accused of following a foreign religion,” according to Open Doors partner Roshan Paul.* “The persecutors alleged that the Christians were attacking the traditional way of life of tribal people.”

Just a few days ago, a group of Christians were attempting to hold a funeral for one of their own—a woman who, with her family, had recently converted from Hinduism. Villagers objected to the burial rites being conducted by the family in the village by protesting and attacking the procession. When the family later retreated to their own backyard for the burial, they were followed and again viciously attacked.

protests during the funeral procession (Image - ETV Bharat)

Please pray for all of our church families—our fellow Christians!—as they struggle to not only grow and flourish, but simply live.

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* name changed for security reasons