On 31 October, we received news of Pastor Rishi’s* arrest under false charges of conversion. He and his family were celebrating the birthday of their adopted daughter when police surrounded his home due to a false tip-off of conversion from his Hindu neighbours. The police waited until the celebration was over before later arresting Rishi and his wife. The couple now have a case booked against them under the anti-conversion law of Uttar Pradesh.
Such incidents against Christians have become frequent in India’s northern states ruled by Hindutva governments—more so in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
More than 100 incidents reported monthly
North India is witnessing more than a hundred incidents every month, in which the state of Uttar Pradesh records the greatest number of persecution incidents. The method is the same each time—the police receive complaints against Christians, and the believers are arrested with no procedure being followed before filing a First Information Report (FIR).
Open Doors’ partner, Sonia Khanna*, from North India, confirms they have recorded more than 800 incidents from January to September 2024.
In the last three to four months, the state has recorded a spike in persecution which seems to be well-orchestrated. In September, around 140 cases were recorded. Currently, around 60 pastors and believers are in jail, including 11 women. Three pastors have been convicted of being involved in coercive conversion, as per the provisions of Uttar Pradesh anti-conversion law.
The Church under pressure
Sonia shares, “The gravity of the situation is that when six believers visited the home of another believer in Ghaziabad district for prayer, someone reported it to the police. Following a search of the believers’ mobile phones, the police made a case of coercive conversion based on the contacts lists.
These situations are putting churches, especially the first-generation believers’ house churches, under a lot of pressure. Moreover, local intelligence units of the police are visiting centres owned by Christians. For these reasons, many house churches are opting for online worship, and Christian centres are either not lending their premises for Christian programs or asking for documentation that declares ‘No Christian activity is being conducted’.”
"Fear and uncertainty overshadow daily life"
Open Doors partner, Sonia
She further requests, “Please pray for the situation in North India. As state governments in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand implement stricter anti-conversion laws, the safety of Christians is increasingly at risk.
Fear and uncertainty overshadow daily life, making even private gatherings for prayer unsafe. We urgently need your prayers and advocacy support.”
*Names changed for security purposes
please pray
- Conducting seminars and trainings is becoming increasingly difficult due to the increasing surveillance by antisocial elements and police. Please pray for the Lord’s protection over all believers and for His divine intervention so that we may conduct all seminars smoothly.
- Pray for first-generation believers to withstand these trying times and for their faith to remain steadfast in the Lord.
- Please pray for the immediate release of the 60 believers who are currently in jail and for several others facing similar charges.
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