India

Anti-conversion laws are on the rise in India – often used as a weapon to harass and persecute believers from a Hindu background. How are they being abused?

How can I pray for India?

Your prayers make an enormous difference to your brothers and sisters in India. Here are ways to keep praying for persecuted Indian Christians, to help ensure their faith remains unshaken.

Mocked. Beaten. Yet unshaken: Why Mehr in India has courageous faith

Mehr in India was viciously attacked for being a Christian – and, when she got to hospital, doctors and nurses refused to treat her. All because she follows Jesus. But you can help Mehr’s faith – and that of other Indian Christians – remain unshaken. For Mehr*, an Indian Christian in her twenties, being violently […]

You gave Indian pastor Shekhar courage and strength after he was attacked and forced to leave his church

You strengthened Sudeep in India to speak up in the face of persecution

Vegetable cart empowers Geetika and provides for her family

Open Doors partners helped Kanak in India when police wouldn’t

Shivani in India looks forward to the future, thanks to your support

Interview: Preetha and Vinita one year on from their terrible attack

Religious minorities ‘on a precipice’ as violent persecution spirals across India

The situation facing Christians and other religious minorities in India is ‘unprecedentedly grave’, says an Open Doors spokesperson.

Six Indian Christian women arrested at birthday party accused of forced conversions

Please pray for six Christian women who have been accused of forcibly converting others by a Hindu extremist group. Their lawyer believes they have been denied bail due to political pressure.

Update: Please pray as Supreme Court in India looks into persecution of Christians

Christians in India given hope with investigation into Scheduled Caste definition

Pray that India doesn’t pass a national anti-conversion law

Video: Brutal attacks against Christians in Chhattisgarh, India

Dismay as Indian government dismisses claims of Christian persecution

Update: Violence in Manipur, India, continues into June

Interview: Open Doors partner shares latest stories and thanks from Manipur, India

Anti-conversion law scrapped in Karnataka State, India – why is this significant?

Ritika from Manipur: “God has protected my baby and my life”

15,000 Christians in India protest against ongoing persecution

10 things Christians should know about India’s 2024 elections

Please pray for India’s Christians during the nation’s elections. Here are 10 things Christians around the world should know, as we stand with our brothers and sisters.

Elections in Manipur rescheduled after violence

Violence broke out at polling booths in Manipur, India, on 19 April. Christians in the state are praying for peace and unity.

God’s love is on display in Manipur through your prayers and support

On 3 May 2023, ethnoreligious violence between Kuki and Meitei groups broke out in Manipur, India. More than 400 churches were burned down, and tens of thousands of people have been displaced, with Christians from both tribes disproportionately affected. Thanks to you, Open Doors partners are continuing to meet the needs of these believers. 

Pastor Laxman in India won’t abandon the vision God gave him – even when falsely arrested

Pastor Laxman in India was arrested, beaten up and jailed – falsely accused of forcing people to convert to Christianity. While in prison, extremists destroyed his church building. But he is determined to keep following the vision God gave him – and he can, with your help.

How are Indian Christians persecuted?

An Open Doors partner explains how and why Christians face persecution in many parts of India.

Seven days of prayer for Manipur

This week marks a year since devastating violence broke out in Manipur, India, between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki ethnic groups, with Christians from both tribes disproportionately targeted. From 3-9 May, will you join us in a week of prayer for the area and its Christians?

Christian persecution escalating all over India as elections continue

Incidents of Christian persecution are intensifying across India, with reports of violence and opposition in different states as the elections continue.

“Even if they kill me for my faith, I want to continue serving the Lord” – Hari’s courageous faith in India

Hari has been thrown out of his home, his church has been closed and he’s been arrested under false accusations – but nothing will stop him from following Jesus.

Indian elections: how you can pray

Indian election results were announced on 4 June 2024. Please join with Christians in India in praying that the results will lead to greater religious freedom and protection from persecution in the country.

“God will not leave us alone!”: Narendran and Kavita’s story of miracles, persecution and hope in India

“God did many miracles,” shares Narendran*. Those four words are inspiring for anybody to hear – and certainly helped Narendran and his wife Kavita* in their ministry in an Indian village. It helped to have a bedrock of knowing how powerful and kind their God is, as this ministry would come at a great cost.

India election results: what next for persecuted Christians?

What do India’s election results mean for Christians in the country? Priya Sharma, Open Doors local partner, shares what the BJP’s victory and a new coalition mean for persecuted Christians.

3 reasons India’s Christians are hopeful after election results

After India’s election results on June 4, Indian Christians share three reasons to be optimistic about religious freedom in the country.

“Thank you for all your support for Manipur” – three believers share how you’re making a difference

It’s been over a year since violence broke out in Manipur, India, displacing thousands of people. Even today, the violence continues and many people, including Christians from both Kuki and Meitei peoples, are afraid to return home. But they are not without hope, thanks to your ongoing prayers and support – as Pastor Lian, Boipu and Istuti can testify.

Three positive developments in India – thank you for praying

There is welcome news for Christians in India, with positive developments emerging from three separate court hearings. Thank you for your prayers!

Update: 12 more Christians arrested as Uttar Pradesh increases conversion punishment

Local believers and Open Doors partners believe a ‘revengeful drive’ following the BJP’s lost majority in the recent election is behind an increase in hostility against religious minorities in India, including a spate of Christian arrests in Uttar Pradesh in June.

Escalating violence in Manipur

Violence is rising in Manipur, even in areas which previously hadn’t seen conflict. Please pray for all caught up in the violence.

Christian granted bail as India’s Supreme Court orders judge’s controversial remarks to be removed

Praise God! India’s Supreme Court has granted believer Kailash bail after he was accused of allegedly conducting forced conversions. The Court has also ordered that harmful remarks made by Uttar Pradesh’s judge be removed from the record.

Persecution increases in Uttar Pradesh under harsher anti-conversion laws

Uttar Pradesh is seeing an escalation in attacks and misuse of anti-conversion laws against Christians. Local Open Doors partners explain what the modified laws will mean for believers.

Upheld with justice: Preeti’s Christmas promise 

Young Preeti from India has already experienced persecution first-hand, when her mother and grandfather were attacked. Thanks to your prayers and support, they have been strengthened by local Open Doors partners and can celebrate the Christmas season with joy.