I honestly don’t even know where to begin. The hatred toward Christianity in India continues to rise at an alarming rate. It feels like every day brings a new report, another tragedy. I don’t even need to write much—these pictures speak volumes. These are just the reports of incidents now coming out from June.
As usual, the state of Chhattisgarh has become a hotspot for persecution. Around June 19th, nearly 700 Christians were forced to flee their homes, driven out of the following villages: Machnar, Kanker, Lohandiguda, Bishrampuri, and Kondagaon.
Elderly people, women, and children were thrown out of their villages and not even allowed to enter neighboring villages where their relatives live. Their crops were looted. Everything they had was taken. They now live in the open, exposed and vulnerable.
Below is a picture of the villagers sleeping outside.
Around June 11th, a Christian wedding turned into a nightmare. Just as the celebrations ended and the families were enjoying a peaceful evening, Hindu extremists stormed the house and brutally beat the bride’s and groom’s families. Their crime? Being Christians and having a Christian wedding.
These days, any Christian gathering invites violence. In another case, a nurse who was being transferred was given a small farewell party. That night, the women and children were locked inside a police station and by morning, the husbands were arrested.Another heartbreaking incident occurred in the state of Odisha on June 18th, in Kotamateru village, Malkangiri district. Over 30 Christians were attacked, with 20 in critical condition.
These are just a few incidents. There’s so much more happening that the world never hears about. The saddest part? Most Indians don’t even know this is happening, because no mainstream media covers these stories.
When Hindu extremists recently threatened to rape and kill women in a Christian village, we shared this on our website and many of you spoke out and prayed. That pressure helped to stop further harm. Your voices do make a difference.
Please don’t go silent. Let your compassion be seen and heard. And above all—the Gospel must be preached. God bless our Indian brothers and sisters.
BTJ may want to contact Calvary Temple Church, India with their 300,000 members to pray and intercede on behalf of the persecuted Christians in their own country.