Christians in India threatened and pressured to return to Hinduism

Christians belonging to tribal communities in the state of Chhattisgarh (India) have called for “urgent prayer” in the face of mounting pressure to abandon their faith and return to Hinduism in the coming days, according to a statement issued by the organisation Open Doors.

In recent days, several Christians have been threatened with serious consequences if they do not take part in a “Ghar Wapsi” ceremony – an expression meaning “return home” – scheduled for 30 April, in which converts must return to their former beliefs.

The threats come from Sarva Adivasi Samaj, an influential organisation representing tribal communities in Chhattisgarh, one of the states with the most restrictive anti-conversion laws in the country.

On 19 April, this organisation brought together some 800 people at a meeting where the reconversion of local Christians was demanded. During the meeting, leaders from various villages claimed that attempts to turn the population away from tribal traditions and deities are on the rise, something that “will not be tolerated” within the community. The meeting was widely reported by local media.

Although no specific names were mentioned, participants called for strict measures against those who have adopted Christianity. The main speaker emphasised that the issue is not only religious but also social, viewing conversions as a threat to the cultural and ethnic identity of these communities.

Furthermore, Sarva Adivasi Samaj has called for the authorities to intervene to “preserve traditions” and has warned of possible mass protests and legal action against those who do not comply with these demands, citing Chhattisgarh’s new draft Religious Freedom Bill for 2026, which introduces new restrictions on conversion.

According to various sources, these meetings are held regularly to devise strategies aimed at pressuring Christians to renounce their faith. Although converted families were invited, none attended the meeting.

Against this backdrop of mounting social pressure, some families are reported to have expressed a willingness to undergo these re-conversion ceremonies, whilst others live in fear of possible reprisals or large-scale protests.

A context of growing pressure

The situation of Christians in India remains a cause for concern for international organisations. According to Open Doors, the country ranks among the top positions on the 2026 World Watch List, which warns of “intense and systematic” persecution.

The rise of religious nationalism promotes the idea that being Indian is equivalent to being Hindu, leaving little room for other faiths. This pressure translates into social discrimination, violence and accusations against Christians, especially those who have converted from other religions.

A key factor in this context is the anti-conversion laws, in force in at least twelve states, which in practice are used to restrict religious freedom. Their ambiguous wording allows legal activities, such as prayer meetings, to lead to complaints, arrests or even mob attacks.

Hundreds of incidents documented in 2025

For its part, the Evangelical Fellowship of India Religious Liberty Commission documented at least 747 incidents of hostility, violence and discrimination against Christians in the country in 2025.

The report details cases of worship services being disrupted, threats against pastors, arrests on charges of conversion, social pressure on Christian families and attacks on places of worship. These incidents, the organisation notes, reflect a widespread pattern affecting both individual believers and entire communities across different regions of India.

The organisation also warns that many cases go unreported due to fear of reprisals or a lack of access to legal mechanisms, particularly in rural areas, meaning the true scale of the problem could be greater.

Overall, the data points to growing concern regarding the effective protection of religious freedom in India and the need to ensure the impartial application of the law for all faiths.

This article was originally published on https://evangelicalfocus.com/world/34599/christians-in-india-threatened-and-pressured-to-return-to-hinduism