India: New Anti-Conversion Law Raises Fears of Persecution

“…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

A newly introduced anti-conversion law in the Indian state of Maharashtra has caused growing anxiety among Christians in the state capital, Mumbai. In response, churches have begun asking worshippers to sign self-declaration forms stating that their choice to attend services is “completely personal, voluntary, and independent.” These forms were drafted by pastors, community leaders, and lawyers as a precautionary step.

The Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam (Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill) 2026, was passed by both houses of the Maharashtra state legislature in March, approved by President Droupadi Murmu, and officially came into effect on 28 August. The law is aimed at alleged religious conversions carried out through coercion, deception, inducement, or other banned methods. It also applies to conversions connected with marriage or promises of marriage.

Maharashtra now joins 12 other Indian states that have similar anti-conversion laws: Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Under the anti-conversion law, anyone wishing to change their religion must provide 60 days’ notice and secure approval from the government. The conversion must then be registered within 25 days or be null and rendered void.

Those found guilty of breaking the law may face prison sentences of up to seven years and fines of 100,000 rupees (approximately US$1,000). Repeat offenders could receive prison terms of up to ten years. The responsibility to prove innocence rests with the person accused of encouraging or inciting conversion, and complaints may be submitted by a relative or acquaintance of the alleged “victim”.

Shortly before the law came into force, at least 4,000 churches in Mumbai took the unusual step of asking attendees to sign declarations confirming that they were participating in services voluntarily and without any inducement. The self-declaration states that the individual is attending the prayer meeting by their own “choice” and is under “no pressure, inducement, temptation, lure, or threat of any kind.”

The form asks for the attendee’s full name, photograph, residential address, contact phone number, and a verifiable number from a government-issued identity document. It must be signed by the attendee and countersigned by witnesses. For some converts, the forms are seen as a safeguard against possible harassment over their faith. Believers have circulated the form through social media and photocopies. Some churches have also installed CCTV cameras to identify individuals and preserve evidence if any incident occurs.

Pastor Devdan Tribhuvan, president of the Maharashtra Christian Development Association, said the forms were introduced because of concerns after incidents at prayer meetings involving the Hindu extremist group Bajrang Dal. “In the past, there have been incidents where Bajrang Dal members have forced their way into prayer meetings, assaulted worshippers and pastors, and vandalised church instruments. We did not receive police support when these disputes occurred,” he said.

Since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won a sweeping victory in the Maharashtra state elections in November 2024, attacks on Christians have increased. Between April and July this year, police recorded nine such attacks.  Church leaders believe the true figure may be significantly higher, as many incidents are not reported.

 

Group prayer

Father, we bring the people of Maharashtra to you today as they navigate the changes in the state. We pray for your people as they battle fear, depression and worry about the false accusations and police interference. We also pray for protection against the self-appointed religious groups who are disrupting meetings, intimidating worshippers and conducting parallel investigations. Strengthen your Church and open doors for the gospel, as the new law takes effect. We pray that believers in Maharashtra would remain faithful and courageous as they share the hope of Jesus Christ. Give them boldness to be salt and light in their places of work, community and villages and stand firm in their witness and pursue the truth. Amen.

BANGLADESH: Attack Shakes Indigenous Christian Community

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 3:12–15 (NIV)

The Garo village of Jarultala in northern Bangladesh was rocked by a violent mob attack on 12 August, after inhabitants of a nearby village found the body of a missing Muslim man buried near a canal and used the discovery as a pretext for communal violence against ethnic Garo Christians.

Billal Hossain had been missing since 4 August. While police have begun investigations, the motive and circumstances of his death remain unclear.

Church leaders and residents described the assault as deliberate and targeted. According to local accounts, a large group of at least 500 people took part in the attack. Eleven homes were looted and one home was set on fire, leaving families to face fear and loss in the aftermath.

Father Lawrence Rebeiro is the parish priest of Mariamnagar Catholic Church in the Diocese of Mymensingh, which includes Jarultala village. He described the attack on the Indigenous community as planned, with significant losses: doors, furniture, televisions, and motorcycles were damaged, and livestock including cattle and goats were taken. Some families also reported losing the equivalent of US$4,000–5,000 in cash and clothing.

Several residents spoke of the intensity of the violence. Bikla Chiran, a villager, said attackers forced their way into her home, breaking locks and rummaging through cupboards and trunks: “They broke open our cupboards and trunks and scattered our belongings.” She added that household items including a refrigerator and other furniture were damaged.

The violence triggered panic across the area, disrupting daily life for a people already living with the vulnerability of being a religious and ethnic minority. For the families affected, the damage is not only visible in broken doors and scattered belongings but also felt in the lasting sense of insecurity.

“We are trying to help families to return to their agricultural work as it is the rice-planting season,” Father Lawrence stated in an interview with UCA News.

Police initially arrested 19 Jarultala residents after the incident. Fourteen were later released, while five remain in custody.

Church leaders have called for a thorough investigation and for measures to ensure the safety of residents. On 18 August, around 200 mostly ethnic minority Christians joined a protest rally in the capital, Dhaka. They demanded a probe into the attack and accused local authorities of siding with instigators and continuing to detain the five Garo Christians without proof of their connection to Hossain’s death.

 

家庭小組禱告

親愛的主，

We pray for your protection over your faithful sons and daughters in Bangladesh.  Spare them from persecution and strengthen them in the face of violence and injustice. We particularly pray for the five Christians who remain in custody at this time and we pray that they may be released and returned to their families as quickly as possible.

We ask that you would grant wisdom to those in authority over these matters and we pray that they may be fair and just in their investigations.

And we thank you for the local Catholic priests and nuns who are serving the Christians of Bangladesh. Embolden them by the power of your Holy Spirit to continue their good work.

All this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

阿門。

Nepal: Three pastors arrested

“The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

Police in Nepal arrested three Christians in March for sharing the gospel in Rautahat district near the border with India. According to local reports, Pastors Dipak Shresta, Murari Chaudari and Dharmendra Thakur were sharing the gospel in a remote village when members of the Bajrang Dal, a Hindu extremist group based in India, surrounded and beat them up, and reported them to the local police.

The incident highlights the increasing challenges Christians are facing under the anti-conversion law in Nepal. While the 2015 constitution protects the right to practice any faith, it criminalizes proselytization, often leading to legal harassment for Christians. Violation can result in up to 5 years of imprisonment and fines.

Police are holding the three pastors despite lack of evidence. Local reports indicate that their detention has been repeatedly extended, though formal charges have not yet been finalized.

Meanwhile, also in March, a court in western Nepal dropped all charges against Pastor Janmajaya Bhattarai of illegal religious conversion of school children, due to a lack of adequate evidence. Pastor Bhattarai of Lamki-Chuha Community Church was arrested in December 2025 after he had posted information on his Facebook page regarding an outreach programme where Christians distributed gifts and clothing to underprivileged children. Several Hindu members of the school management committee then complained that the pastor was evangelising students in an attempt to convert them, contrary to the agreed terms of the gift distribution event.

Pastor Bhattarai was released from jail after three weeks, after posting bail for 250,000 Nepalese rupees (approximately US$1,600). However, the charges against him remained. The legal battle lasted about 15 months. Reacting to the verdict, Pastor Bhattarai said he felt relieved that the court had dismissed the charges. Senior pastor Tanka Subedi of the Family of God Church in Kathmandu called this a positive step toward safeguarding the fundamental human right to freedom of religion.

Meanwhile, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a parliamentary majority in the March general elections. This government now faces the test of whether, at home and internationally, it will resist the growing influence of Hindu nationalism, which has increasingly targeted the country’s small Christian minority.

 

家庭小組禱告

親愛的主，

We thank you for the mountain country of Nepal that you have blessed with so much natural beauty, and for your faithful people who live there. We rejoice at the work that you are doing there, and lift up those who are suffering for the sake of the gospel.

We pray for the three pastors—Dipak Shresta, Murari Chaudari and Dharmendra Thakur—who have been targeted and manhandled for sharing your Word. May the government be merciful, and may you honour the faithfulness of your ministers. Please strengthen these men, and may your Spirit embrace them with your nearness. We pray for a quick resolution to the issue so that they may continue ministering to their congregations.

Lord, we ask that your kingdom come in power in this country. May the light of your countenance bring peace, joy, and freedom to your people!

以耶穌的名。

India: A Season of Hate

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:10 (NIV)

For many Christians in India, Christmas 2025 was not a time of goodwill to all. Incited by allegations of forced conversion, trouble erupted across 11 states including Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Assam, Haryana, Gujarat, Odisha, and Uttarakhand states. Church services were disrupted by mobs, while carol singers were jeered at and harassed. A blind woman was assaulted. Even vendors selling Christmas items in the streets were targeted, with mobs smashing up Christmas decorations. A record number of over 100 different incidents were documented over the festive season.

This type of violence against churches and Christian gatherings is becoming shockingly prevalent across India. The ecumenical group United Christian Forum (UCF) has documented more than 5,000 cases across the country over the past decade. It has data showing that physical attacks, intimidation, vandalism of religious spaces, harassment, disruption of prayer services, and intimidation of clergy and worshippers have risen markedly in recent years.

In November 2025, UCF recorded 706 anti-Christian incidents. These occurred mostly in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In December 2025, the press reported on close to 100 attempts by Hindu groups to target Christians across the country. These were more prevalent in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP), raising questions about religious freedom. In Chhattisgarh, mobs burned church buildings, destroyed homes, and caused Christian families to flee for their lives. In several states, churches had to hold Christmas prayers under police protection. On the other hand, police were often present during attacks but failed to intervene.

Local church leaders believe these increasing levels of hatred are a result of the growing spread and power of several Hindu organizations with strong links to the government, as well as several controversial statements made by BJP leaders.

There have been several social media posts with videos of the attacks and harassment. These show mobs chanting hostile slogans outside places of worship and vandalizing Christmas displays, while the police stand by and look on. One video captures BJP legislator Anju Bhargav inside a church in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. In the video, she is screaming at Safalta Karthik, a visually impaired woman, and even twists her arm and grabs her face.

“What hurt me the most was that she mocked our blindness,” Karthik said. “She didn’t just target me; she shouted that all of us would be born blind again for attending a Christmas lunch.” A police officer was present throughout. Subsequently the police dismissed Bhargav’s allegation that there was forced conversion of visually impaired children at the church.

According to UCF national coordinator A. C. Michael, many attacks have been triggered by such allegations of so-called forced religious conversions. “In many cases, pastors or worshippers are detained or arrested, only for courts to later find there is no evidence. But the process itself is punishment.” Some 12 states across the country have anti-conversion laws. Hundreds of Christians have been arrested under anti-conversion laws in recent years, particularly in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

On 31 December, following a complaint from a local Hindu organization, the police detained 12 people including Pastor Sudhir, and his wife Jasmine. The couple were charged with allegedly converting people during a Christmas service. The couple were taken to the police station and subsequently arrested. Police then arrested others who came to the station to enquire about the matter.

To date, the government has refused to condemn the attacks. Bishop Koshy of the Madhya Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India has warned against inaction and called on the government to respond firmly: “The silence of political leadership and the government in the face of attacks on Christians sends the wrong message to the perpetrators. Such inaction, especially when a response is needed, indirectly encourages these actions.” The police when called for a response are hesitant. Police sources have stated they are under “official pressure” not to intervene. Moreover, they have even advised against seeking police assistance.

Group prayer:

Father we pray for our dear brothers and sisters in Christ in India as they face persecution, suffering, and danger. May they draw closer to the Lord Jesus Christ despite all. May they be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Lord, we pray you build your church in India. Through the witness of your people, may millions more come to know and follow you. We pray also for the persecutors. They are deceived and ignorant. May they come to know you also through the witness of your saints. May God bless India, its people, and especially the Christians in their tribulation.  Amen

Laos: Young Christian killed

It is with a heavy heart that we share the death of Koun, a Lao Christian who went missing earlier in October this year under suspicious circumstances in Khammouane province. After a four-day search, local Christians found Koun’s body and motorcycle in a ditch off a jungle road. Police have dismissed the case as a motorcycle accident, but Christians say Koun’s death is part of the crackdown against the rapidly growing Christian church.

Koun, 26, had recently decided to follow Jesus and was baptized in April. He is the third Christian to be killed in the past three years. In October 2022, Pastor See was found dead near a forest in the same province after two men visited his house. Village authorities had previously warned him to stop his religious activities. In July 2024, Thongkham Philavanh, a Khmu pastor, was shot dead by two masked men in Oudomxay province. Thongkham’s wife, Sengdala, believes her husband was silenced for his faith and ministry.

Local church leaders in Laos had asked for prayers for Koun after he went missing. According to his father, two strangers had escorted the young man from his home. The late Pastor See had discipled and trained KK, Koun’s elder brother, and started a church in his house. Church leaders said KK is a faithful house church leader who led his entire family and others to Christ in a mainly animistic village. The family now believe that the killers had wanted to target KK, and instead kidnapped and killed his brother.

Christians in rural areas of Laos are viewed with suspicion and are often arbitrarily detained and harassed. Some are expelled from their villages and have their property confiscated for refusing to renounce their faith. Many Christians have indeed recanted their faith and denied Jesus under pressure from the government. Local officials often turn a blind eye to abuse of Christians, with government officials denying that Christians suffer any discrimination or violence.

Many local leaders say they are being watched and are living in fear for their lives. Koun’s death has shaken the Christian community. The senseless death of the young man is a reminder of the deep pain and risk that our brothers and sisters in Laos face every day.

KK and his wife are asking for prayer as they consider moving to the capital, Vientiane, for the safety of their family and that of other believers in their rural village.

 

禱告

Father,  we pray for your comfort, peace, and strength for Koun’s family as they grieve their tragic loss. We pray against the evil schemes of the enemy and bind them in the name of Jesus. Please protect your people and let your angels guard and keep them from all danger. We pray for the Christian community in Laos, especially pastors and church workers who are anxious and living in fear. We also pray for the safety of KK and his family and all the believers in the area. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

INDIA: House churches banned in Chhattisgarh

“Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 CSB)

House church meetings in Chhattisgarh state, central India, have recently been banned. In the state capital, Raipur, without providing legal justification or documents, police have been telling house churches that they need to get special permission from the district administration in order to hold prayer services.

These actions are in defiance of Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, according to which “all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion”.

More than 200 house churches in Chhattisgarh have been affected. Many churches in Raipur have shut down, mostly due to fear of attacks by Hindutva outfits like Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

The house churches are mainly run by pastors belonging to Pentecostal denominations and are small congregations gathering inside homes and not in formal church buildings. As per a Madras High Court ruling in June 2025, a private home in India can generally be used as a prayer hall if formal permission is obtained from local authorities.

In recent years, extremist groups have staged systematic attacks against Christians in Chhattisgarh. In April, 300 people had gathered for a prayer meeting in Bilaspur town when a mob led by a vigilante group protested outside the venue, threw stones, and accused them of carrying out religious conversions. At least 10 Christians were injured. There have been at least eight similar incidents in the past few months. According to local leaders, the police often act on behalf of these groups.

Christians comprise less than 2 percent of Chhattisgarh’s some 30 million people and are denied rights to land and burial grounds. Many cannot live in their respective villages unless they renounce their “foreign faith”. They also face violence and prolonged legal challenges under anti-conversion laws. A climate of fear has resulted in self-censorship among many Christian communities.

Extremist groups often falsely accuse pastors of luring people into churches by offering cash payments, free medical assistance, and foreign trips, funded by foreign donors. However, these allegations are not supported by evidence and are strongly rejected by Christian leaders.

In April, six Christian families were evicted from their homes after refusing to renounce their faith. In June, a mob attacked Christian families and pressured them to convert to Hinduism. In July, six men in Bhilai town were detained and severely beaten with wooden batons at a local jail for identifying themselves as pastors. Also in July, two nuns were arrested along with an Indigenous (Adivasi) youth at Durg Junction railway station and accused of human trafficking and forced conversion, prompting widespread protests.

The Indian Constitution does not have an anti-conversion law, but at least 12 states including Chhattisgarh have implemented their own versions since the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014.

The Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India has documented 334 incidents targeting Christian communities across India between January and July 2025, of which 86 took place in Chhattisgarh. This is second only to Uttar Pradesh state. According to the ecumenical United Christian Forum, 165 anti-Christian incidents were recorded in Chhattisgarh last year, also the second-highest in the country.

 

家庭小組禱告

親愛的主，

We pray that you will strengthen and protect your faithful children in India, especially in the state of Chhattisgarh where the house churches are facing intensified pressure and persecution. We pray for justice in these communities and that your Spirit will soften the hearts of local authorities and move them to always act fairly and in accordance with the law.

Pour out your Spirit of righteousness and love in these lands, so that your greatness and goodness may be made known to all.

我們以耶穌的名請求。  阿門。

Nepal: Urgent prayers needed

Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan country, bordered by India and China. Its economy relies heavily on foreign aid and tourism. In 2008, its first Constituent Assembly abolished the 240-year-old monarchy and declared Nepal a federal democratic republic. While rooted in their ancient traditions and religions, the Nepali continue to search for hope and enlightenment. They have one of South Asia’s highest per capita usage of social media.

A recent ban on social media brought young people to the streets, but they also came with pent-up grievances over social inequality. At least 34 people were killed in clashes  and more than 1300 have been injured across Nepal between the police and protesters.

The root cause of the “Gen Z protests” was the public’s frustration with the perceived corruption of government officials and their families, their displays of wealth, as well as allegations of mismanagement of public funds. Demonstrators set fire to the parliament building, and government buildings and houses of political leaders were attacked and vandalized around the country.

For the past 10 years, Nepal has been ruled by the same three elderly leaders prime ministers on a rotating basis. Between them, they have led the country on 12 separate occasions. Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and several other ministers have since resigned. The wife of former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal is in critical condition after getting trapped in their burning home. The military has now taken control. Tribhuvan International Airport in the capital, Kathmandu, has just reopened.

Church leaders are distraught and traumatised by the events. One church leader we spoke to broke down and cried: “I have no words to express the sadness in my heart.” He pleaded with us to stand in the gap and pray for the country during this difficult time. It appears that all church activities and Christian institutions are temporarily closed. There are also reports that several Christian communities and churches were threatened during the political protests and violence.

Most people in Nepal see Christianity as a Western religion that undermines traditional culture and society, and appeals only to lower castes. Converts from Hinduism and Buddhism face increasing pressure from their families and community, and are viewed as deviating from the faith of the ancestors. The state media and government officials see growth in conversions to Christianity as dangerous and think the Christian faith will destroy Nepalese culture.

The church has grown rapidly since 1951, when missionaries were allowed into the country, and congregations have been spreading all over the country. A main reason for growing numbers has been prayer for the sick and the resulting healings. However, the government introduced a strict anti-conversion law in 2018; Christians now navigate a fine line to speak of Christ. As a result, local and foreign Christians have had to limit their evangelistic activities.

家庭小組禱告

Father God:

We lift up our dear brothers and sisters in Nepal as the country goes through this tremendous upheaval. May you grant them peace, strength, and courage, so that their faith would remain strong and not buckle under pressure. May they continue to place their hope in the Lord. May there be unity in and among the Nepali churches as they face this crisis together. May they ground themselves in the living hope of Christ.

May there be a complete end to the violence, and may a just and upright government to be set in place. May the nation’s leaders demonstrate wisdom and humility, and let justice, unity, and hope prevail. May tensions quickly ease and the everyday life of citizens be restored safely and peacefully. May there be comfort and healing for the families who have lost their loved ones.

May your angels surround your people, and protect them from all harm and danger, and from fear and uncertainty. May you grant wisdom and guidance to them as they continue faithfully to serve you and minister to the community. May there be peace and protection over all the people.

In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Iranian Christian Laleh Saati released from Evin Prison

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV)

Iranian Christian convert Laleh Saati was released on 31 May on the condition that she cannot travel for two years and that she must not speak to the media or any contacts abroad.

In February 2024, Laleh was arrested at her father’s home in Ekbatan Town, a Tehran suburb, and taken to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. The prison is divided into wards, with this ward under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Intelligence. Laleh was interrogated there for three weeks.

A month later, Laleh was brought for trial at Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court before Iman Afshari, a judge known for his ruthlessness against those imprisoned because of politics and human rights activism, as well as those who are ethnic or religious minorities. He found Laleh guilty of “acting against national security through connections with ‘Zionist Christian’ organisations”.

Laleh had sought asylum in Malaysia and while there, she renounced Islam and was baptized as a Christian. She eventually decided to return to Iran in 2017 to take care of her elderly parents, frustrated with the delays and lengthy processing time of her asylum case.

It was seven years after returning to Iran that Laleh was arrested and charged. Government prosecutors used photos and videos of her baptism and Christian activities in Malaysia as proof of her alleged crime.

In May 2024, Laleh’s mother visited her in prison and reported that her daughter was struggling with her mental health. As a result, Laleh was interrogated again and threatened with new court proceedings. Her mother was also interrogated and warned that a case might be opened against her because Laleh’s case had been publicised to foreign media.

When Laleh had served one-third of her sentence and became eligible for parole, it was denied, reportedly because she refused to make a forced confession.

In April 2025, Laleh injured two fingers on her left hand after falling in the prison yard, but she was denied access to specialised medical care. As her condition deteriorated, her mother continued to appeal for her to be transferred to a medical facility, but her requests were rejected until May, when she was released after serving 15 months of her sentence. She has been traumatized by her experiences and remains in a “psychologically unstable state”.

The Iranian government views Christian converts as threats and actively works to suppress their activities. House churches are often raided, and believers are frequently arrested, interrogated, and given long prison sentences on charges like “acting against national security”. The Iranian authorities also monitor the activities of asylum seekers in foreign countries and obtain information to use against them. Laleh’s case demonstrates that Christian activities carried out by asylum seekers abroad can be used as evidence against them in legal proceedings upon their return to Iran.

Despite the risks, Iranian Christians are courageously sharing the gospel and many are coming to Christ.

家庭小組禱告

親愛的主，

We pray that you will strengthen, restore and heal Laleh Saati after the trauma of the prison experience she has endured. Keep her strong in her faith and safe from further persecution.

Please also strengthen Laleh’s aging parents, that they too might sense your comforting presence and come to be in relationship with you.

We pray for the safety of secret churches, the courage of believers, the well-being of imprisoned Christians and their families, and the spread of the gospel in Iran. 

At this time of international conflict, we also pray that you will protect all your followers in Iran from any harm.

We ask all this in Jesus’ name. 阿門。

Sri Lanka: Heroes of Faith

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

(Psalm 116:15 ESV)

For many Sri Lankan Christians, Easter is a day of mourning and remembrance—a day to honour those who were targeted and killed for their faith 21 April 2019. ISIS-related suicide bombers had targeted three churches and three five-star hotels, killing at least 270 and injuring 500. One victim died from her injuries in 2024. Most of the victims were Sri Lankan and at least 45 were foreign nationals.

This year, radio and television channels across the country muted their broadcasts for two minutes as a mark of respect. Armed police and military personnel were on high alert as churches across the country observed the anniversary of the Easter bombings. Just days before Easter, a gunman opened fire at a church near the capital, Colombo. No one was injured, but police said windows of the church were damaged. A suspect was arrested.

There were several memorial programmes for the victims. In Colombo, hundreds of their relatives marched from St. Lucia’s Cathedral to St. Anthony’s Shrine, one of the churches attacked. The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, said the Roman Catholic Church had formally recognised 167 church members killed in the bombings as “heroes of faith”, a designation given to individuals who died for their religious faith.

Earlier in March, Sri Lanka deported two Indian pastors for allegedly violating visa regulations by engaging in preaching activities. Pastor Edwin Glory Thomas and Pastor Johnson were arrested when officials raided the Christ Evangelical Church in Matakal West, Jaffna district during their seventh anniversary celebrations. The pastors were questioned and subsequently deported. Their arrest followed a complaint lodged by a local group, which claimed that the two had breached their tourist visa conditions by conducting religious work. They should have obtained official clearance with a religious visa. In another incident in March, police raided a church in Nuwara Eliya and ordered two foreign pastors without religious visas, one Indian and one Malaysian, to leave the country with immediate effect.

家庭小組禱告

親愛的主，

We thank you for the beautiful country of Sri Lanka. We remember the people there at the time of remembrance of the sad and terrible event that took place six years ago. We think of those who were killed for your name, and also those who are being arrested and persecuted for speaking your Word. As the country continues to recover from political and social turmoil, we ask that your presence be strongly manifested there, and that your name will continue to be lifted up.

We think of the families that lost loved ones, including little children, in the Easter bombings and other attacks, and lift them up to you. May your comfort be ever present in their lives. We especially lift up the survivors, including Elaisha Debbie, the little girl who lost her eyesight, her parents, and one brother. Please continue to give them strength and hope. Pour your spirit upon the church in Sri Lanka and bring revival there. May all levels of society experience a deep change—from the government to the lowly worker, from the common man to the women and children, let praise ring out. May the church be empowered to continue the good work you have begun in them.

We commit Sri Lanka into your hands in Jesus’ name.

阿門。

Strict anti-conversion laws introduced in Rajasthan, India

“Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.” (Prov 22:8)

On 3 February, the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill was tabled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the Rajasthan State Assembly to stop religious conversions allegedly made “by fraud, force, or inducement”. The Bill was passed during the Budget session and the law has since been enacted.

Opponents of the Bill argue that it violates the rights to personal liberty and autonomy, to freedom of speech and expression, and to privacy and freedom of faith.

India is a secular nation, and its Constitution protects the right of each Indian citizen to freely practice and spread their faith peacefully. The Indian Constitution also states that changing one’s religion due to personal conviction, marriage, or divorce is acceptable so long as the decision is made voluntarily and without the use of pressure or force.

The Bill will make it far more difficult for an individual to convert to another religion by requiring an extended bureaucratic process to do so and imposing harsh penalties on those seen to be in violation of any of the statutes of the new law.

According to the Bill, those who want to convert to another religion will have to first give two months’ advanced notice to the District Magistrate. Then, a notice of 30 days for any ceremony for the conversion must be made by the “converter” who is performing the ceremony, followed by an affidavit by the converted person to the District Magistrate within 60 days.

Penalties for those found to be involved in unlawful conversion include up to three years in jail with a minimum fine of 10,000 rupees (USD 115) for the converted and five years in jail with a minimum fine of 25,000 rupees (USD 287) for the converter. According to Forbes, the average monthly salary in Rajasthan is 19,740 rupees (USD 227).

Criticism of the law relates to it appearing to reverse the principle of the assumption of innocence by placing the burden of proof — that a religious conversion was not affected through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or marriage — on the person who has “caused” the conversion.

The offences covered by this Bill are classified as cognizable and non-bailable, and triable by a court. This means that the accused may be arrested without a warrant and that obtaining bail may be difficult.

Rajasthan now joins 11 other states in India — Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh — in having an anti-conversion law.

These state governments have used the criminal code to stop church services and prayers at the sickbed of a Christian. Misuse of the anti-conversion laws against innocent citizens has led to 1,000 or more people, including women and children, spending time in jails. Many of those who have been arrested are pastors, and others from several groups who are first-generation converts to Christianity, often tribal or marginalised people.

In 2024, more than 400 senior Christian leaders and 30 church groups submitted an urgent appeal to the President and Prime Minister of India to curb the activities of violent mobs that have targeted Christian gatherings across the country. At least 14 incidents targeting Christians were reported during the Christmas season, ranging from threats and disruptions to arrests and outright attacks. The appeal also pointed to the misuse of anti-conversion laws leading to the arrest and harassment of over 110 clergy members.

According to Christian groups such as the Evangelical Fellowship, United Christian Forum, and Persecution Relief 834 incidents against Christians have documented in India last year. The actual number may be several times higher, as police refuse to register complaints and victims are scared to even approach the authorities.

 

家庭小組禱告

親愛的主，

We pray for justice in India and a reversal of the laws that so negatively impact our Christian brothers and sisters living there. We pray that those in authority will not abuse their power or use these laws to unfairly prosecute those who seek to know you and live their lives in you.

And we pray that you will grant protection for pastors and ministers and all those who are spreading the gospel in India, that they may be able to continue their good work and bring more people to faith, without being treated unjustly.

We ask all this in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

阿門。