India (MNN) — 640 cases of anti-Christian discrimination were recorded in 2024, nearly quadruple the number ten years prior. Floyd Brobbel with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says this trend will not likely redirect. 

“When people on the ground feel that they are empowered to discriminate against other religions – in this case, a Christian minority – without any consequences and in most cases encouraged by government authorities, I think you’ll see these incidents increase.”

Many Indian believers worship in makeshift structures of fabric and corrugated cardboard. Brobbel says these buildings are being destroyed during worship services. 

“As they’re praying and as they’re worshipping, we’ve seen footage of Christians even beaten with sticks and rods to discourage them from worshipping in that place,” Brobbel says. 

The Modi administration is promoting Hinduism not just as a national religion but as an individual and corporate identity. While top-level officials tout religious freedom, Brobbel says the real test of authenticity is what is happening at the ground level. 

“When we see states that are not allowing conversion from one religion to another, when we see repression that is coming from a state or ground level that is happening to not only Christians but other religious minorities in India, those words fall flat.”

Brobbel suggests that political pressure from Western governments and agencies could be better leveraged. 

“With their counterparts in India, this should be one of the topics that’s brought to the forefront, and I don’t think that’s really being done,” he says. 

Organizations like Voice of the Martyrs Canada can help supply political and business leaders with information that can help them advocate for Indian believers.

“Further than that, of course, Christians should be raising a voice anyway,” Brobbel says. “They can be writing to their Indian consulates or embassies, raising awareness and raising a voice on behalf of persecuted Christians in India.” 

Most importantly, Christians interested in partnering with the Indian church should fall heavily on the importance of prayer. 

“We should be praying constantly that in the midst of this struggle, that brothers and sisters in India would be faithful – that they can continue to shine a light in the midst of increasing opposition,” Brobbel says. 

Please pray that Christians in India would be resourced to evangelize and that God’s church would continue to grow. Brobbel says there are things to be excited about as pressures abound. 

“God’s will is being done through His people, so we need to continue to pray with our brothers and sisters in India that the Word would continue to go forward and have the impact that we know that it can have.” 

(Photo courtesy of Mission India)

 

Header image courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs Canada.