India (MNN) — Opposition to Christians, Muslims and other minorities in India continues to rise from multiple angles. 

Take Maharashtra State, for example. In the state assembly on July 9, revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the government will soon institute a strict anti-conversion law. If it does, Maharastra will become the 13th Indian State with such a law on the books. These laws make Christians easy targets for accusations and abuse — just read one brother’s story here. 

Some churches in Maharastra are at risk too. Bawankule also said the government intends to demolish “unauthorized” church buildings over the next six months — especially those in tribal districts. 

“We’re talking about the way the government is enforcing the property laws,” said Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs, USA. “They are coming after church buildings and saying, ‘Oh, wait a minute, this was not zoned for a church building.’ Or, ‘Wait a minute, this is your personal property. It’s not for a church.’”

State anti-conversion laws have long been used against pastors, church planters and evangelists. Despite greater government restrictions on Christianity, churches are growing.
(Photo, caption courtesy of VOM USA)

In some cases, authorities will come and tear down the church with heavy equipment. Or the work will be done by a mob of people with crowbars and hammers. “But always with an effort to lessen the Christian presence in their state,” said Nettleton.

Destruction is not a new tactic. State governments in India have arbitrarily demolished homes, businesses and places of worship for years. Muslims, Christians and other marginalized communities feel the brunt. One report from Amnesty International analyzed 128 demolition incidents that took place over just three months in 2022. They called it “bulldozer injustice.” 

Trends like this led VOM USA to raise India’s designation from hostile to restricted in 2024. 

“This is not a radical Hindu mob of people. This is not a terrorist group in the country. This is the government that is coming after them. In this case, it’s the state government of Maharashtra,” Nettleton said. 

Nettleton said prayer is the first thing persecuted Christians ask for. So please pray for their endurance. When you have an opportunity, tell their stories!

“Let’s make sure our government leaders are aware of the persecution that’s happening,” says Nettleton. “Hopefully, when they have government interactions, those things will come up in the conversation.”

Header photo is a representative stock image courtesy of Vincent Belho via Pexels.