The persecution of Christians continues in India, reports Mission Network News. In November, extremists used weapons and threats to force a Gospel for Asia (GFA) Bridge of Hope center to close. Threatened with death and under the pressure of their landlord, the center’s staff was forced to leave. More recently, four believers were forced to perform rituals of the area’s main religion, reports GFA. Unable to continue working under the group’s oppression, the GFA supported pastor left the village to work with another congregation.
According to the newly updated World Watch List, India is number 28 out of the world’s top 50 most oppressive countries for Christians. “Religious militancy” is quoted as the main source of persecution in the country, with five states adopting ‘anti-conversion’ laws, which are frequently used as an excuse to disrupt church services and harass Christians. Hindu nationalists claim that every Indian has to be Hindu, and continue to push their ‘Hindutva’ ideology through political parties.
Publication Date: January 14, 2013.
