Since the Hindu nationalist BJP came to power in 2014, radical Hinduism has increased steadily. Several states outlaw proselytism, and there have been efforts to impose such so-called “anti-conversion laws” at a national level. The violence of radical Hindu groups or angry mobs of villagers is often allowed by local, state and national authorities dominated by the BJP. This means the Hindu radicals can act with increasing impunity.
Indian court provides ‘minor relief’ from ban on Christianity
The high court of Chhattisgarh state in central India has asked the state government to ensure that anti-Christian resolutions passed by village councils will not infringe religious freedom. A Christian organization challenging the local resolutions said the court order is “only a minor relief.” In July 2014, the village of […]
Anti-conversion laws threaten another Indian state
Hindu extremists have called for “anti-conversion laws” to be introduced in India’s Jharkhand state, after local media reported that 300 tribals had converted to Christianity. But Catholic Cardinal Telesphore Toppo told UCA News the reports were false and that the indigenous people were already Christians. Jharkhand has a higher than […]
Indian pastors arrested for evangelising
Three Indian pastors were attacked by a mob and then arrested for attempting to convert Hindus, reports UCA News. Stephan Rajkumar, Hari Lal and Anil Kumar were arrested in Madhya Pradesh state on 3 Oct. after showing a film about Jesus in the town of Majhgawan. They were charged with […]
Indian Parliamentarians propose ban on conversions
Two cows, a sacred animal for Hindus, stand outside a church in Anjuna Flea Market in Goa.Eustaquio Santimano / Flickr / CC Two members of India’s ruling BJP party, one in the Lower and one in the Upper House of the national Parliament, plan to introduce a Private Members’ […]
India: Nun killed in Kerala
A nun has been murdered in the southern Indian state of Kerala, reports Fides. Sister Amala Valummel, 69, was found dead on 17 Sep. at her convent in the town of Palai. This is the fourth incident involving an Indian nun that World Watch Monitor has reported in 2015. In […]
NE India – Manipur violence sparks fears of religious conflict
India’s north-east corner consists of seven states* linked to the rest of the country by a narrow strip of land: tribal peoples there perceive themselves to be very different – in culture, identity, and even looks – from the rest of India. One state, Manipur, on the Myanmar border and […]
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 […]
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: […]
Kandhamal couple’s shooting evokes darkest memories for India’s Christians
Human rights groups claim a Christian couple were shot dead by Indian federal security forces last month, while they were speaking on the phone to their son on a mountain in the eastern state of Odisha – formerly known as Orissa. The alleged murder of Dhubaleswar (50) and Bhubudi (45) […]
Nun says no to exam dress code
A strict dress code for India’s national medical-school entrance exam proved too strict for some religious hopefuls, including a nun who elected to skip the test rather than remove her veil and cross. In an attempt to minimise opportunities for cheating on the test, India’s Central Board of Secondary Education […]