Faith under fire

Indian police target Christians

Reliable Christian sources in India have spoken directly to Release International about the increasing violence and attacks on the church there, which are being attributed to anti-conversion laws. Reports include a number of recorded incidents of mob attacks on Christians and Christian churches or institutions. We have seen witness statements evidencing state police brutality. The police have made many unlawful arrests and have been complicit in torture against Christians held in custody.

Our contact told us: ‘I travel a lot around the Hindi-speaking churches in the north of India. I have just received another report that Broadwell Christian hospital in Fatehpur [in Uttar Pradesh] has been targeted for harassment by the local police and they have brought many false charges against doctors and nurses there. The police walked into the labour room and threatened the doctors and mothers. It is a horrendous experience for the women. A local fringe group has been printing pamphlets saying that Christians are illegally converting people which is completely untrue. It is a frightening experience to go to church. The police have also stopped Christians entering churches. We have asked people to be very cautious. We need a lot of prayer as conversion is freely given and we continue to proclaim the gospel.’