Open Doors is a non-denominational mission supporting persecuted Christians in the world.
One of its most recently launched report claims that Covid-19 isn’t the only crisis for India’s persecuted Christians. Christians in India are facing two crises. Due to the devastating impact of Covid-19, Christians and several other vulnerable groups not only are losing their income they need to survive, but the report highlights that Christians also face violence, discrimination and rejection – fuelled by anti-Christian propaganda. Open Doors titled ‘Destructive Lies’ report can be downloaded here.
Another ‘Freedom House’ report mentions that the attacks on Muslims are very glaring and prominent while those on Christians are generally sub-radar and reported less often. Freedom House is a US government-funded non-profit, non-governmental organisation which publishes an annual report on democracy, political freedom, and human rights titled Freedom in the World.
In one of its articles written by Sarah Repucci & Amy Slipowitz it is stated that India, the world’s most populous democracy, dropped from Free to Partly Free status in Freedom in the World 2021. The ruling Hindu nationalist movement has encouraged the scapegoating of Muslims, who have been disproportionately blamed for the spread of the virus. Both Christians and Muslims have faced up to 60% increased attacks by vigilante gangs and mobs. The ruling party are tragically driving India toward authoritarianism. The full article is here https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2021/democracy-under-siege
It is important to note and where possible also to raise our voices against the rising human rights violations and persecution of religious minorities (particularly of Christians and Muslims) in India, but at the same time it is also important to note that not all Hindus are persecuting minorities and not all Christians are under attack. There are several Hindus fighting against it and sanding up for justice.
However, it is sad that once a beacon of religious pluralism, India is now watched globally with a concern that its democracy and pluralism are under assault. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2021-0003/
Fury in India over death of 84 year old Fr Stan Swamy https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/05/indias-oldest-political-prisoner-stan-swamy-dies-aged-84
Attack on Nuns in India
Let’s hope and pray that as a diverse and multi-cultural nation with a flourishing history of pluralism that has been thriving in it for thousands of years, India as the world’s largest democracy, will rise again to uphold its long and multifaceted heritage of religious pluralism.
