India (MNN) — India’s religious freedom violations recently took the spotlight in the U.S. State Department’s annual report.

John Pudaite with Bibles For The World says, “The report, coming out in Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s name, said that ‘In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities.’”

The State Department uses this report and recommendations from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to designate Countries of Particular Concern later in the year. CPC designations, in turn, can lead to economic sanctions.

However, Pudaite doubts India’s poor religious freedom record will outweigh its economic benefits. “India’s position [is] a kind of counterbalance to China,” he says.

“Things are ramping up on the economic front, and the U.S. wants to maintain relations [with India] so that the economic investments and commerce can continue between the two countries.”

Small villages throughout Manipur receive much-needed supplies donated by Bibles For The World.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Bibles For The World)

Bibles For The World operates a seminary, several primary schools, and a hospital in northern India. More about that here. Since last May, they’ve been responding with help and hope to the Manipur crisis.

Visit Bibles For The World’s website for tangible ways to respond.

Lift up Christians who are suffering for their faith in India. Pray that the U.S. and other governments will continue to take notice of religious freedom issues.

“The attacks on Christians and other religious minorities continue. But we’re hoping that with the BJP losing some power, losing a very clear majority in the parliament, [that] we’ve seen a start of a turning trend here,” Pudaite says.

 

Header image courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs Canada.