Extremist Hindu Nationalism Targets Christians and Other Religious Minorities in India
As followers of Christ, it is our duty to show compassion to those in need and advocate for those who are suffering persecution. Despite their distance from us and our unfamiliarity with them and their cultures, we must not overlook or disregard those bravely enduring the impact of injustice in our world. India stands out as a troubling hotspot of minority persecution and religiously motivated killings. It’s been heartbreaking to witness the increase in crimes committed by Hindu extremists over the past few years, thanks to the rule of the Hindu supremacist political party in the country. It is even more concerning how these groups of extremists and religious oppressors have managed to align politically with certain U.S. conservatives. Donald Trump garners praise and admiration from Hindu supremacists in India, just as there are fervent supporters of India’s prime minister Narendra Modi within conservative U.S. circles. It is imperative that we crush this malevolent force before its reach extends throughout the United States and the developed West. Killing for Honor The rise of Hindu supremacist extremism has in a way emboldened people to commit religious crimes against minorities, which includes Muslims, Christians, and even Dalit Hindus from lower castes. At a 2022 conference, a
Make a call to Members of Congress today and say you support S 3764 — USCIRF Reauthorization
Make a call during the Month of July to Members of Congress and say, "I support S 3764 -- USCIRF Reauthorization" Washington, DC Dear Friends and Board members of FIACONA, FIACONA is an active member of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable (IRF). On June 18-19th along with several other members of the IRF Congressional Working Group (CWG) we visited twelve U.S. Senate offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. We spoke with key Senator staff about the importance of the bipartisan United States Commission on International Freedom (USIRF) that on behalf of Congress advocates for human rights and religious freedom globally. We awarded certificates to Senators and their staff who received an "A" for supporting religious freedom. (A few photos are below) Why is this this urgent request? For four years USIRF has implored the U.S State Department to designate the Republic of India as a 'country of particular concern'. This request is based on the Indian government's record of systemic and patterned persecution of Christians and escalating refusal to secure human rights for religious minorities within the nation. When the government of India receives this designation the U.S State Department can shape meaningful polices toward India that include advocating for the human rights of persecuted Christians. What
Bhagavad Gita lessons to be part of morning assembly in 650 Ahmedabad schools
Minority-run institutes will be advised to implement the project as well, the district education officer said. Audiovisual lessons on the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita are set to become a mandatory part of morning assemblies in 650 schools in Ahmedabad district, reported The Indian Express. Gujarat education minister Praful Pansheriya on Tuesday launched the “Vidyarthi Jeevan Pathdarshak Banshe Shreemad Bhagavad Gita” project, which means “Bhagavad Gita will become a guide to student life”. In February, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader had tabled a resolution in the state Assembly to make the Bhagavad Gita a part of school curricula for classes 6 to 12. The resolution was passed unopposed. Over 3,000 teachers will begin their training for the “Vidyarthi Jeevan Pathdarshak Banshe Shreemad Bhagavad Gita” project this week. “It will apply to all schools – government, grant-in-aid and private,” Krupa Jha, the district education officer for Ahmedabad Rural, told The Indian Express. “Even as we cannot force it, the minority-run schools will be advised to implement the project in their schools too.” The project is “based on the ancient and rich Indian enlightened heritage”, Pansheriya said in a social media post on Tuesday. “Based on selected 51 verses of the Gita, this project is designed as a unique initiative
The Power in Naming an Indigenous Survivor of State Abuse in India
The Power in Naming an Indigenous Survivor of State Abuse in India FIACONA and Assembly for Human Rights advocate for Adivasi farmers Neal Christie, Executive Director, FIACONA “Isn’t this the fast I choose: releasing wicked restraints, untying the ropes of a yoke, setting free the mistreated, and breaking every yoke? Isn’t it sharing your bread with the hungry, and bringing the homeless poor into your house, covering the naked when you see them, and not hiding from your own family?” (Isaiah 58:6-7). Imagine a world without farmers. Farmers are the backbone of our society and every economy. And yet 80% of the world’s hungry live in rural areas and are largely dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. Approximately 50% are smallholder farmers cultivating marginal lands prone to natural disasters like drought or flood, 20% are landless families working on other people’s land, and 10% depend on herding, fishing or forest resources. Farmers and their livelihood as well as their well being are a bellwether for every nation. What would cause farmers, whose lives every life depends on, to take their own lives? It should appall us that, in India, farmers are killing themselves in record numbers. What is the primary cause? Let’s look at
India’s 12th state plans law to criminalize conversions
Yet another Indian state has announced plans to enact a draconian anti-conversion law, which is often used to harass Christians in the country. The pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the northwestern state of Rajasthan disclosed its intent to curb religious conversions in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, the country's top court, on June 18. The affidavit was filed in response to a public interest litigation by Delhi-based lawyer and BJP Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeking stringent steps by federal and state governments to control fraudulent religious conversions, which he called “a nationwide problem.”The petition alleged the involvement of Christians in fraudulent religious conversion. Eleven Indian states, most of them ruled by the BJP, have enacted the draconian law, ironically named as freedom of religious acts. But Rajasthan “lacks a specific legislation” to curb conversions, according to the affidavit filed by the state government. After defeating the secular Congress party, the BJP formed a government in Rajasthan in December last year. “There is no doubt enactment of an anti-conversion law will make Christians vulnerable to hardline Hindu groups,” said a Catholic priest based in Rajasthan.According to Christian leaders, Hindu nationalist groups and activists may misuse the anti-conversion law to target them with impunity. “Laws
India’s religious minorities decry pro-Hindu push in school books
Christian and Muslim groups in India have expressed concern over attempts to change history in favor of the ruling party’s pro-Hindu ideology by revising school textbooks. The latest disquiet started after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which functions under the federal education ministry, released its revised grade 12 political science book last week. The book referred to the 16th-century Babri mosque, built by Muslim invader Babar, as “a three-domed structure.” It was also silent about the pro-Hindu campaign that led to the mosque demolition in 1992 and the resultant Hindu-Muslim riots that killed thousands. “History cannot be changed as per one’s whims and fancies,” noted A C Michael, national coordinator of the United Christian Forum (UCF), which tracks violence against Christians in the country. Michael added that some crucial details are missing in the textbooks for students “who are the future of this country.” More than three decades ago, the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned throughout the country with a rath yatra (chariot tour) for building a temple at the site of the mosque in Ayodhya town, considered the birthplace of Hindu lord Ram. The campaign was concluded when thousands of Hindu zealots demolished the ancient mosque. India’s Supreme
New BJP govt in Rajasthan to introduce fresh law on religious conversion
New Delhi Indicating a significant policy shift, the newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Rajasthan has announced its intention to introduce fresh legislation on religious conversion. The Bhajan Lal Sharma-led government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, stating that while the state currently lacks specific legislation on religious conversion, it is actively working on drafting a new law. Until the legislation is enacted, the state will strictly adhere to existing laws and any guidelines or directions issued by the Supreme Court, it added. “The State of Rajasthan does not have any specific legislation with respect to conversion from one religion to another
United Church of Christ (NY) condemns violence against Indian religious minorities
BINGHAMPTON, N.Y. — At its June 1, 2024 meeting in Binghampton, NY, the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ unanimously passed a resolution condemning violence against religious minorities in India, which include Christian organizations and individuals as well as other religious minorities, including Muslims. The New York Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCCNY) resolution begins by addressing the plight of over 40,000 people, 250 churches, 1,700 homes, and 120 people who have been killed as a result of Hindu nationalist policies propagated by India’s ruling BJP in the state of Manipur. The New York Conference is the first in the UCC denomination to pass such a resolution, following soon after the United Methodist General Conference became the first denominational body in America to pass a similar one in April 2024. “We want to publicly care for Christians and not only Christians, but other religious minorities who are suffering, and look at the root causes of that suffering in the Indian subcontinent. That should matter to every congregation in New York and around the nation,” said Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams, Conference Minister and Ecumenical Officer. The Conference resolved to stand in solidarity with the National Council of the Churches
Invitation for Indian Christian Day (ICD)
Why Indian Christian Day? We have a marvelous opportunity to amplify the impact that Christians and their congregations, parishes, and ministries have made and continue to make as followers of Christ, both across the subcontinent of India and within our global community. I cannot imagine an India, or any nation, that has not benefited from the faith, sacrifice, and love shared over more than 2,000 years because of the prophetic life of Christ. Christianity as a movement was first introduced by St. Thomas and his companions in the southern region of the Indian subcontinent around 50 AD. These first Christian communities were established in Kerala in the first century, and some are still in existence today. Over the centuries, a tapestry of Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches took shape across India to worship, witness, and serve the good news to humanity. I believe that generationally, Indian Christian contributions in quality and quantity have exponentially transformed personal and social lives far beyond our numbers because we are called to see the image of God in one another—human flourishing comes when we cross boundaries of politics, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Why celebrate Indian Christian Day now? “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone
Miscreants loot church, attack 2 priests in Odisha’s Sundergarh district
Unidentified miscreants physically assaulted two priests and looted Rs 10 lakh from a catholic church in Odisha’s Sundergarh district, police said on Saturday. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Rourkela Zone 3) Nirmal Chandra Mohapatra said, “The incident occurred late on Friday night in the Jharbahal area about 25 km from Rourkela town. The unknown miscreants attacked the fathers and looted money.” After breaking open the main gate, the miscreants proceeded to the father’s room. The injured fathers were identified as Alois Xalxo (72), and Nirial Bilung (52). The injured fathers were admitted to Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) and their health condition was stable. The health condition of the two fathers is reported to be stable, said Dr Ganesh Dash, Director. The SDPO said the amount of cash looted was Rs 10 lakh. The cash was inside the church after collection from the hostel and other places. He said there were 10-12 persons attacked the fathers with lathi and iron rod. Father Xalxo said, “We were asleep when the miscreants barged into the church after breaking open the grill door.” Father Bilung said, “There were 10-12 persons. They tied us and when we shouted they attacked and injured us. They looted the money kept in church after collection
