Urgent: pray for Indian Christians under pressure to reconvert 

A deadline of 30 April has been set for Christian families in Chhattisgarh state to renounce their faith in Jesus. Facing such intense opposition, please stand with our Indian brothers and sisters and intercede for them in prayer.

Christians in India are asking you to urgently pray over the next few days as some tribal believers are under tremendous pressure to go back to their previous faith. If they don’t do so at a ‘Ghar Wapsi’ (an event meaning ‘homecoming’, where converts return to their former beliefs) on 30 April, they are being threatened with significant consequences. 

The threats are being made by a prominent organisation that represents tribal communities in Chhattisgarh state, one of India’s states with the most restrictive anti-conversion laws. These laws make it very difficult to leave your previous faith if you follow Jesus.  

On 19 April, the organisation, Sarva Adivasi Samaj (an umbrella organisation of tribal groups, existing most prominently in Chhattisgarh), assembled around 800 people demanding the reconversion of any Christian converts. At that meeting, village representatives from several villages alleged that attempts to convert people from traditional customs and faith in tribal deities are increasing in the area. They stated that such conversions will not be tolerated within the community. 

Although no specific individuals were named, they demanded strict action against those who have converted. The main speaker emphasised that this is not only a religious issue, but also a matter of social coexistence – Christianity being viewed as a significant threat to cultural and ethnic identity. Representatives of the Sarva Adivasi Samaj have appealed to the administration to intervene immediately to maintain peace and preserve traditions in the area. 

Threats against the church 

Such meetings are being held regularly to formulate strategies to reconvert those who have embraced Christianity. The invitation was also extended to the converted families, but none of them attended. 

Sarva Adivasi Samaj has threatened mass protests and legal action against those who do not comply, citing the new Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill 2026, which places significant restrictions on the freedom to convert. 

Due to increasing social pressure, some families have expressed their willingness to undergo the ‘Ghar Wapsi’ ceremony, while several other Christians are reportedly living in fear of a large-scale protests and forced reconversions. 

Stand with them 

At this uncertain and seemingly paralysing time for our brothers and sisters, they urgently need our prayers to stand firm in their faith. Please join them and pray, 

• That tribal Christians, especially new converts, would remain steadfast in their faith despite the immense pressure they are facing 

• For the authorities as they make decisions, that they would act fairly and justly without bias, protecting people of all faiths 

• That the Lord would guard His people in Chhattisgarh and across India, empowering them to bear witness to Jesus and bring His grace and truth to their communities.