News / Thoughts

India: Forced from home

Four families were beaten and driven out of their village for refusing to reconvert to Hinduism in the village of Katholi in India.

Hindu extremists demanded a local Christian leader attend a specially convened village meeting and when the Christians refused to convert at the meeting, men, women and children were beaten.

The believers were forced to flee for their own safety. They tried to return to the village but, despite assurances of safety from the authorities, the villagers drove them away again.

Open Doors partners visited them and provided medical aid, made arrangements for their stay outside the village and provided them with basic supplies including clothes and food.

This is just one of an increasing number of stories of persecution coming out of India. Hindu extremists have been attacking Christians more frequently and more violently. This is happening across India and reports of persecution against Christians have increased by 34% since 2013.

Christians are also finding they are prevented from getting certain jobs, buying land or developing land in certain areas and even distributing Christian literature has led to arrests in cities like Delhi.

With your help, Open Doors is supporting Christians who are victims of violence in India through the work of local Churches and partner organisations. They provide emergency medical fees, clothing, food rations help with acommodation and trauma care.

Source: Open Doors

Pray now…

• That God will protect vulnerable Christians in India
• That the authorities will act to protect religious liberty and ensure justice for Christians and other minorities