According to the Constitution of India, Indians have the right to practice their own religion. But in practice, the freedom to share one's faith is restricted due to the Hindutva ideology of the ruling Bhartiva Janata Party (BJP).
The Hindutva ideology has totalitarian features as its aim is to transform India into a predominantly Hindu nation. The BJP has its roots in the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an Indian nationalist, paramilitary, voluntary organization working to promote Hindutva and Hindu nationalism.
According to the Evangelical Fellowship of India, persecution of Christians often comes from the RSS and BJP. Ever since the BJP government came to power in 2014, violent attacks on Christians have increased. When the BJP came to power in 2014, the Evangelical Fellowship of India recorded 147 attacks on Indian Christians. After five years of BJP government, in 2019, the EFI recorded 366 violent attacks on Indian Christians.
Danish European Mission donors support local Christians in Tamil Nadu who care for the poor and help them to help themselves. While Tamil Nadu used to be a relatively safe place for Christians, the number of attacks in the state has increased in recent years. For example, in June this year, RSS members broke into the church in Udaiyappatti village in Salem district and beat up Pastor Jeevanandham and his wife, Jennifer Jeevanandham, who was nine months pregnant.
In the midst of increasing persecution, our local partner stands firm and continues to provide self-help assistance to the vulnerable. In a practical way, God's love in Jesus is demonstrated to the poor and needy. Despite skepticism, Christian development workers often experience openness when people feel the God-given love that Christians love with.
Please pray for the Christians in India, for the government and the authorities.
