Because most of the Christian persecution in the world today occurs in the Middle East at the hands of Muslims, we don’t always realize that Christians experience hostilities from various other groups as well. In India, Christians are harassed by Muslims in Muslim-majority areas. But in poorer regions they may be persecuted by members of the Naxalite movement (Maoist rebels). And most recently, Hindu radicals have joined in the oppression.
 

As Open Doors explains about this latest phenomenon ~

These radicals are intent on cleansing the nation of both Islam and Christianity and employ violence to this end. Usually, converts to Christianity experience the worst persecution and are constantly under pressure to return to Hinduism.
 
Campaigns known as Ghar Wapsi (or “homecoming”) are used to get Christians to denounce their newfound faith. These converts are often physically assaulted and sometimes killed for refusing to deny Christ. The government continues to look away when religious minorities are attacked, indicating that violence may continue to increase in the coming years.

 
According to Morning Star News, Hindu extremists have been emboldened since May 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power. His National Democratic Alliance government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, exhibits a hostile attitude to non-Hindus.

In an increasingly common phenomenon, Hindu nationalists trying to drive a wedge between tribal peoples [generally animists, who worship objects in nature and other gods] and Christians, (persuade) villagers that those who had left their beliefs, sacrifices and other rituals had betrayed their ancestors, gods, and the country of India. The Hindu nationalists then obtain tribal support for political candidates and policies and introduce Hindu beliefs and practices into animist religious systems.

Morning Star tracks worldwide instances of persecution against Christians. Here are several of their recent headlines from India ~
 
• Hindu Extremists Turn Tribal, Animist Villagers against Christians in India
• Ferocity of Hindu Extremist Attacks Stuns Christians in Tamil Nadu, India
• Pastor’s Family Assaulted in Southern India
• Bible Burning in Southern India Shows Depth of Hostility Toward Christians

 
Open Doors recently produced this video about a young Indian woman ~ In her 28 years, Kusum has suffered more for her faith than most Christians have in their lifetime ~
 

As we in the west prepare to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection in peace, unconcerned about our personal safety as we attend worship services, let’s remember our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering for their faith and who aren’t able to enjoy that same freedom. Please pray for Kusum and the thousands of other Indian Christians facing hostility, ostracism, attacks and worse from Hindu extremists.
 
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Related:
Hindu-on-Christian Persecution ~

Over the last three years, the anti-Christian persecution in India has continued to increase. Open Doors’ World Watch List ranked India as the planet’s 25th worst persecutor of Christians in 2015. Yet in 2017 it was found to be the 15th biggest persecutor and, this year, it climbed to 11th place.