Today saw the first of five rounds in India‘s latest general election, the largest exercise of democracy in the world. Results, expected on 16 May, will determine which party or coalition of parties will be chosen to govern for the next five years. Analysts say the race is too close to call.
Although Christians [...]

A candidate running for the pro-Hindutva Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in upcoming elections in India has been charged with hate speech following an incendiary address in which he attacked Christianity and defamed Christians.  The speech was given near the Kandhamal district of Orissa state, which has been rocked by anti-Christian mob violence that began last [...]

Speaking at the Fourth National Persecution Meet in Karnataka, India, Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore Dr Ignatius Paul Pinto, contradicted oft-repeated claims by Hindu fanatics that Christians bribe or coerce people into professing Christ.
He expressed the community’s dismay and shock that persecution had arisen in India – a land known for its tolerant spirit. But now [...]

The Hindu political party BJP has nominated for elective office a man now in police custody and accused of leading anti-Christian mob violence in Orissa state, India, that began last August.
Manoj Pradhan is the prime accused in last year’s ethno-communal riots in Kandhmal and currently behind bars. But that hasn’t stopped BJP from giving a [...]

Islamic governments typically compel Christians and Jews to accept dhimmitude, a set of legal and social disadvantages intended to enforce subjugation and humiliation. Now supporters of Hindutva (Hindu nationalism; literally, “Hinduness”) in Orissa state, India, are inflicting similar conditions on Christians, despite the fact that India is officially a secular and democratic state.
Orissa’s Archbishop [...]

A church in Batticola, Orissa, India, was burned to the ground last year during intense anti-Christian violence. A Hindu temple is now under construction on the site.
The church in Batticola was rased to the ground and burned last August, at the beginning of the violence against Christians. Now, a foundation about one meter high has [...]

The Supreme Court of India has told the Orissa state government that, if it cannot protect Christians from mob violence, then it should resign.
The Supreme Court today said it would not allow “persecution” of minorities and asked the Orissa government to resign if it was unable to protect Christians who were targeted in recent riots [...]

Christian aid agencies are reporting that Hindu extremist organsations have offered rewards to kill Christians and destroy their homes in Orissa, India. The reporting agencies include Release International, All India Christian Council, and Good News India.
“The going price to kill a pastor is $250 (£170),” Faiz Rahman, the chairman of Good News India, said.
A [...]

A campaign of forced conversions to Hinduism is taking place in Orissa state, India, following months of anti-Christian persecution and violence.
Hundreds of Christians in the Indian state of Orissa have been forced to renounce their religion and become Hindus after lynch mobs issued them with a stark ultimatum: convert or die.
The wave of forced conversions [...]

Widespread violent attacks by Hindus against Christians in Orissa state, India, are getting worse. Churches have been vandalised and desecrated, thousands of Christians have been driven from their homes and many killed, and the bloodshed and persecution continue.
Holy war strikes in India: 35 Christians killed and 50,000 forced from their homes
For a country that [...]