Christians across India marked Christmas under heightened tension as Hindu nationalist groups targeted prayer services, carol singing and public festivities. Attacks and intimidation were reported from several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Delhi during the final days of Advent.
A Hindu extremist mob in northern India assaulted two Christian couples and an attorney for several hours, accusing them of forced conversion, sources said.
India's Karnataka state has approved a new law aimed at curbing hate speech and hate crimes, a move welcomed by church leaders and human rights advocates who say it offers stronger protection for religious minorities, including Christians.
Events from this week in Christian history include the death of Thomas Tenison, the birth of Amy Carmichael, and the closure of Teen Mania.
The Rev. Franklin Graham was recently unable to attend a Christian revival event in India due to a visa issue, with some alleging foul play.
Around 2,000 Christians from across India gathered in New Delhi to protest rising, sustained and systematic violence against the religious minority community. Speakers at the gathering called attention to a 500% rise in reported violence since 2014, and largely with impunity.
Two Christian families in India’s Chhattisgarh state were denied the right to bury deceased relatives in their native villages. In both incidents, locals blocked access to burial plots and insisted on Hindu rites as a condition for entry, forcing the families to travel elsewhere to perform final rites.
India’s Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Rajasthan government regarding a petition challenging the state’s “anti-conversion” law, which allows officials to demolish homes and seize property based on mere allegations of forcible conversion.
Anglicans recently met in the Diocese of Durgapur in north India for a conference aimed at tackling human trafficking and slavery.
When a Hindu extremist mob assaulted Christian men, women and children during a church service in India in late September, police jailed the pastor and charged him and four other Christians.
