World Watch List Rank | 10 |
World Watch List Score | 83/100 |
Leader | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
Population | 1,383,198,000 | 67,356,000 Christians |
Main Religion | Hinduism |
WWL Rank in 2020 | 10 |
Persecution Level | Extreme Persecution |
Hindu extremists believe that all Indians should be Hindus, and that the country should be rid of Christianity and Islam. They use extensive violence to achieve this goal, particularly targeting Christians from a Hindu background.
Believers are often physically attacked and sometimes killed, and experience constant pressure from their family and community to return to Hinduism. If they do not “re-convert,” they may be boycotted by their community, with a devastating effect on their ability to earn income. Many believers are isolated and do not know any other Christians.
Anti-conversion laws are abused to harass and intimidate Christians. While few people are convicted under these laws, cases can drag on for years.
Persecution in India has increased significantly over the past five years, and has now remained relatively unchanged for the past year. The COVID-19 pandemic has offered a new weapon for persecutors, though, and Christians are often deliberately overlooked when official COVID-19 food and aid is distributed. This has left many desperate for food, particularly since many Christians are from the Dalit caste and thus very poor, and have lost their sources of income this year.
Open Doors works through local church partners to strengthen the Indian church through providing emergency aid (Rapid Response teams are often first on the scene after violent attacks), persecution survival training, Bibles, livelihood and community development programs, advocacy support and legal training.
18th Dec 2020
Found in Prayer News
Two Christian families in India have had their fields set on fire by extremists in the area. The two families became Christians some time ago,…
Read More26th Nov 2020
Found in Prayer News
Violence against Christians in India may be suppressed during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it hasn’t been eliminated: A Christian man was killed and three others…
Read More06th Nov 2020
Found in Prayer News
According to the latest Open Doors research, through January to June 2020 there have been 349 persecution incidents affecting more than 5,000 individuals in India.…
Read More05th Oct 2020
Found in Prayer News
Amnesty International has ended its operations in India after the Indian government froze its bank accounts. Rajat Khosla, Amnesty's senior director of research, advocacy and…
Read More20th Aug 2020
Found in Featured Story
The pressure on India’s Christians was already growing fast. Now, because of COVID-19, many are starving. Delivering aid under restrictions is difficult, but thanks to your support, Open Doors partners are risking their health and the threat…
Read More07th Aug 2020
Found in Prayer News
In India, it’s said there are millions of gods; although, no one has an exact count. Worshipers often travel to ancient temples to make small sacrifices and…
Read More08th Jul 2020
Found in Podcast
Listen in as we discuss the #10 country on the World Watch List - India. While it is considered the largest democracy in the world,…
Read More01st Jul 2020
Found in Prayer News
The north Indian state of Haryana might become the ninth state to adopt legislation which criminalizes forced conversion, the so called ‘anti-conversion law’. The state’s chief minister, Manohar Lal Khattar,…
Read More12th Jun 2020
Found in Prayer News
Problems for people in India are piling up: While still battling the COVID-19 virus, the country’s east has been hit by the worst cyclone in…
Read More29th May 2020
Found in Prayer News
There are phone calls you will never forget. Our partners in India shared with us this cry of help from a believer. A few…
Read More05th May 2020
Found in Prayer News
Christian families in India receive food aid while attacks continue With the most populous democracy in the world under coronavirus lockdown, many of India’s Christians…
Read More26th Jan 2020
Found in Prayer News
India celebrates its 70th Republic day today. Much pomp and display are put into the celebrations which are telecast nationwide. However, this country which is…
Read More15th Aug 2019
Found in Prayer News
India celebrates its 73rd Independence Day today. The worrying question in the minds of many in India today is if Independence is merely a thought…
Read More23rd May 2019
Found in Prayer News
India’s general election results announced today declare a landslide victory for the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) led National Democratic Alliance. Prime Minister Modi returns to…
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