Last week, the Indian election, the world’s largest ever democratic election, saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi re-elected for another term. Around 900 million eligible voters have cast their votes since polls opened on 11 April.
Persecution against religious minorities, including Christians, has increased under Prime Minister Modi’s government. Leaders of extremist Hindu groups have vowed to rid the country of Christianity by 2021.
Campaigning for this election involved the use of increasingly hostile rhetoric and deepened the divide between Hindus and non-Hindus. Many Hindus see Christians as a threat to the nation because of the growth in their numbers and their strong presence in remote regions.
Those who convert from Hinduism to Christianity are often harassed, attacked, or even killed. Because of the government’s inaction, and in some cases, denial, of persecution against Christians, extremist groups have become bolder in their actions.
“Modi’s government have closed its eyes when minorities have been attacked,” said Vijayesh Lal, General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India. “It has continuously promoted anti-minority speech without thinking about the consequences.”
A local Indian pastor said, “I fear for the future of my country and my family, especially my children.”
Since Prime Minister Modi came to power in 2014, India has moved up the World Watch List each year. It is now ranked as the 10th most dangerous country in the world to follow Jesus.
Pray For India:
- Pray that the newly elected government will seek to heal divides between the Hindu majority and religious minorities.
- Pray that Prime Minister Modi will come to know Jesus personally.
- Pray that Christians from a Hindu background will have courage to share their faith with their families.
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