Persecution: Hindus hold rally in India, vow to stop conversion to Christianity at all cost

In India, Hindu have held a rally demanding violence against Christians, Faithwire quoted International Christian Concern (ICC), as reporting.

The rally, which was attended by about 500 people, was held in the Bastar District of Chhattisgarh State.

Apart from Hindu nationalist leaders, some senior members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also attended.

“Let us drag people from the church and stop conversions at any cost, “Amit Sahu, president of the state unit of the BJP, said.

He also challenged the attendees to make the Bastar region a “conversion-free zone.”

Another leader of the party, Roop Singh Mandayi, said, “We’ll frighten Christians, who are involved in conversion work in the region. We’ll not allow the missionary work to be carried on in Bastar and will protect the Hindu religion by stopping the conversions.

Although, the rally was poorly attended, Christians in the area, it could provoke an increase in cases of persecution.

According to a Christian leader, “We took a long breath after seeing the poor show in attendance. It was expected that 10,000 to 12,000 people would turn up for the rally. This was very concerning, but less than 500 people attended.”

“Though the rally was not successful in terms of numbers, the (Hindu nationalist) activist will be more aggressive,” a pastor from Jagdalpur said.

“It is their plan to do reconversion programmes, particularly in the villages and interior places. We won’t know about these incidents of persecution because of the remoteness of these areas. Only God can save His people.

“The state is already in tremendous turmoil and Christians and pastors are targeted for what they believe and practice. This rally will add fuel to the fire. We need prayers and someone to stand with us.”

India is ranked 10^th among the countries of the world where Christians are most persecuted, according to Open Doors in its 2021 report.