The district administration of India’s Chhattisgarh state has imposed a ban on “house churches”, stating it as an important decision to maintain communal harmony. However, local Christians, believe the administration’s actions overstep their religious freedom in the state.
According to local news, the Raipur City Police and District Administration held a meeting in August with pastors, priests, and other prominent representatives of Christian communities, giving them clear instructions: prayer services can only be organised in authorised and registered churches.
The administration says they have taken this decision to ban house churches after they received complaints of religious conversion and because it would lead to communal tension and violence.
The administration also clarified that obtaining permission is mandatory for any religious or social event.
House Churches Forced Shut, Prayer Gatherings Attacked
Following the meeting and the issuing of the ban, several house churches have been forcibly shut down, and Christians are prohibited from gathering for prayer. The affected pastors and believers confirm they were not given any written notice. Administrative and police officials warned the local Christians of strict consequences, including imprisonment, if they opposed the ban order.
Hindutva extremists, a movement seeking to establish Hinduism and Hindu culture as dominant in India, are attacking every prayer gathering, calling it a conversion activity. They are falsely accusing and witnessing against pastors of forceful conversion through inducement and are pressuring the police to arrest the Christians under the state’s Religious Freedom Act (known as the Anti-Conversion law in other states).
The Christian community has strongly protested the administration’s order, stating that, “house church” is not a new tradition but a globally recognised religious practice. They argue that the order violates the Indian Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of religion for its citizens.
Christian leaders share that in rural areas or places without churches, people pray peacefully in their homes. They have also rejected allegations of religious conversion, stating they were being falsely accused by Hindutva organisations.
Christian Community Challenges the Ban
The Christian community has appealed to the administration for a fair investigation and has even agreed to install CCTVs in their homes to ensure complete transparency.
Leaders of different Christian organisations and churches have challenged the ban in the High Court.
Experts note that the fundamental principles of Indian democracy and constitutional law are undermined when religious practices are disrupted and prohibited based on complaints without evidence.
The court’s verdict is awaited to determine what directions will be given on this sensitive issue.
Open Doors local partner, Kunal Mishra* shares, “Christians in Chhattisgarh are experiencing religious animosity from the Hindutva led government and the religious extremists. The ban on house churches has created fear and has curbed the religious freedom of an individual. With the recent ban on house churches, private gatherings are now in question, potentially challenging the Indian Constitution. Articles 25-28 grant citizens the fundamental right to freedom of religion, including the ability to manage their own religious affairs and establish religious institutions, like places of worship, subject to public order, health, and morality.”
Kunal further requests prayers and adds, “Christians in Chhattisgarh are appalled by the ban order. Christian leaders are advocating to the state and central governments to intervene and put an end to the atrocities that Christians are facing in Chhattisgarh. Pray for the Christians that we have a safe place to worship and that every initiative taken by the Christian community for religious freedom be heard and fair action is taken.”
Please pray:
- Pray for freedom to worship in homes and for the restrictions and bans on house churches to be lifted. Also pray for people to be allowed to gather and worship freely without any fear.
- Pray Christians find courage and strength in God so they can face the increasing atrocities against them.
- P Please pray for heavenly wisdom for local authorities and the police, that they will act with fairness.
- P Pray for unity among believers so they can stand firm in their faith and fight for their constitutional rights.
- P Pray for the entire state of Chhattisgarh where hatred is being spread. Pray for misunderstandings to be removed and true harmony to be restored.
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