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

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 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

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

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

Unidentified miscreants allegedly hurled a bomb at the Baptist Church on Mission Road near Buxi Bazaar here late on Friday night. Sources said members of the church were holding a meeting when the explosion occurred on its premises at around 10 pm. Though no one noticed the bomb being hurled, the explosion caused substantial damage on the concrete floor of the church. “We heard the explosion and on rushing to the spot, found the working members gathered near the damaged site,” locals said adding, it was likely caused to create disturbance in the locality. On being informed, a team of Cantonment police reached the spot and launched an investigation. “The cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained,” police said. This article is originally published on https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2024/Jun/15/cuttack-miscreants-hurl-bomb-at-baptist-church

Manipur is witnessing renewed violence, with the latest escalations being reported from Jiribam district, an area that borders Assam’s Cachar district, after a Meitei farmer’s death was attributed to a Kuki-Zo armed group. Recently, two individuals from the Hmar-Mizo tribal communities, which are part of the larger Zo tribe, were reportedly killed, and 48 houses and a church owned by tribals were destroyed, displacing more than 800 tribal and 220 Meitei residents. The immediate cause of the outbreak is believed to be the retaliatory violence by some individuals from the Meitei community against the Hmar-Mizo community following the murder of a 59-year-old Meitei farmer. The suspects in this killing have not been identified, though there are unverified suspicions pointing to Kuki-Zo “militants.” This has sparked a vicious cycle of violence and counter-violence. On June 6, in alleged retaliation for the death of a Meitei farmer, some Meiteis reportedly set fire to houses belonging to the Hmar-Mizo community. In response, members of the Hmar-Mizo community burned houses of the Meiteis. Kuki-Zo groups report that a significant number of armed members from the Meitei extremist group, Arambai Tenggol, and the separatist insurgent group, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), have arrived in Jiribam, escalating tensions in

Christianity has been a presence in India since the days of St. Thomas the Apostle. The Indian Orthodox Church, or Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church, severed communion with the Church of Constantinople in 451, over the definition of the natures of Christ at the Fourth Ecumenical Council, the Council of Chalcedon. “Persecuted Christians in Manipur Face Dual Crisis of Violence and Floods,” by Hannah Chowdhry and Juliet Chowdhry, Pakistan Christian Post, June 8, 2024: London: A surge in religious extremism in Manipur, India, have led to severe religious persecution against the Kuki Christian community. Over 200 Christians have been killed, and numerous villages, houses, and churches have been destroyed, resulting in significant displacement and hardship. The violence has left around 70,000 Kuki Christians homeless and struggling for basic necessities such as food, clothing, and medicine…. While the government has set up some relief camps, their capacity is limited, accommodating only about 10% of the displaced population. This has left many without adequate shelter and struggling to survive. Dr. Chongloi has emphasized the insufficiency of the government’s relief efforts and the urgent need for more substantial support. Compounding these challenges, flash floods in the Kangpokpi (KPI) district resulted in early cancellations of relief distribution efforts by

The Christian community in an eastern Indian state has taken a cautious "wait and watch" approach after the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a landslide in the state, where anti-Christian violence claimed around 100 lives over 15 years ago. The BJP pulled off a stunning victory in the just concluded Odisha state elections. It defeated the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), a secular regional party that ruled the state uninterruptedly for 24 years. The BJP won 78 seats in the 147-member Odisha State Assembly and secured 20 of the 21 parliamentary seats in the simultaneously held state and parliamentary elections. The results were declared on June 4. Mohan Majhi, a four-time BJP legislator, was sworn in as the chief minister on June 12. The 52-year-old politician was a teacher in a school run by the powerful Hindu group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS--National Volunteer Corps). The RSS is considered the mother organization of the BJP and an umbrella body of all hardline Hindu organizations in the country that are blamed for attacking religious minorities such as Christians and Muslims. “The change of guard is a matter of concern for us Christians as our people have not yet fully recovered from the shock of the 2008 Kandhamal

Christian leaders have urged India’s newly sworn coalition government to change the leadership in strife-torn Manipur where ongoing sectarian violence since May 3 last year has claimed around 220 lives and displaced over 50,000, mostly tribal Christian people. Their appeal came in reaction to the call by chief of the parent organization of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to find a solution to the escalating violence in the remote northeastern state. A C Michael, a New Delhi-based Catholic leader, said Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS or national volunteers' group), holds considerable influence over the ruling BJP. Bhagwat addressed a gathering in Nagpur city, the RSS headquarters, on June 10 and said, "It is important to resolve the conflict as a priority." Michael said, "Merely saying so is not enough." The Christian leader said Bhagwat should take steps to remove federal Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh from their offices. “They [Shah and Singh] are responsible for the current plight of the people of Manipur. If they continue to be at the helm of affairs, no justice could be expected for the suffering people,” Michael added. He demanded India's new ruling coalition led by the