News / Thoughts

India: Supreme Court decision – pray now!

Today, Monday (11 July), India’s Supreme Court is due to look at the ‘sinister phenomena of violence’ and ‘targeted hate speech’ against the Christians in many parts of the country. In May, there were more than 57 attacks against believers.

The petition was filed in March by Archbishop of Bangalore, Dr Peter Machado, together with the National Solidarity Forum and the Evangelical Fellowship of India. The Chief Justice, however, refused an early hearing as there was ‘no urgency’.

However, Colin Gonsalves – who is the Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and the founder of Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) – has since brought the petition to the attention of the vacation bench, which hears cases while the Supreme Court is on summer break.

He has asked justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala for an urgent listing, saying that the number of attacks on Christians is increasing every month, as reported in India’s legal news site LiveLaw. In May alone, a record 57 cases had been reported, Consalves reportedly told the bench.

“What you are saying is unfortunate, if it is happening every day,” Justice Surya Kant was quoted as saying by LiveLaw. “What we can ensure is that your matter is listed on the re-opening day itself.”

In their application, the petitioners asked the Supreme Court for the creation of a special investigations teams to register criminal cases and prosecute groups responsible for attacks on Christians, provide police protection for believers under threat, and identify and prosecute political and social groups responsible for violence against Christians.

Increasing violence against Christians

The number of cases of violence against Christians in many parts of India has risen sharply in recent years. According to the United Christian Forum, 2021 was ‘the most violent year for Christians in India’, with 486 reported cases of violence against Christians (an increase of 75% from 2020). However, as reporting a crime in India is a challenge, the actual number might be higher.

Pray now…

• That the case brought by Christians in India will be looked at
• That those involved in pushing the petition will be given wisdom and favour, and that God will protect them
• That this petition will result in real change for our Indian family

Four things you can do now:

1. Learn more and pray: Get our free glow-in-the-dark World Watch List Map and find out more about the places where faith costs the most. Get your map here…

2. Pray regularly: Every Monday night at 7pm we’ll be praying one prayer for one minute for the one in seven Christians around the world who face persecution. Set an alarm and tune in…

3. Choose to Lose: Raise money by getting sponsored to lose something you love for a short time. Sign up and we’ll send you a fundraising pack…

4. Send a message of hope: Imagine getting a letter from a Christian on the other side of the world who’d heard about you and was praying for you – encouraging right? Well, you can send encouragement now to young Christians facing persecution. Do that here now…