India (MNN)–The head of the Hindu Nationalist party, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), says conversions to Christianity have gone up since the elections.
VHP Working President Ashok Singhal warned his followers that since the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government came to power, conversion rates have multiplied quickly.
According to reports, he’s asking the Sikhs in power to take note of the church growth rate and consider it a threat. He also said their party members had launched an ‘educational’ campaign in the areas where Christianity was spreading fast.
Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton reads that two ways. “That says ‘The church is growing, they’re reaching out, they’re bringing new people into (their) kingdom.’ The bad news is that he’s identifying Christians, and he actually uses the words ‘anti-national forces,’ saying, ‘Christians are not good citizens, they’re not patriots, they don’t love their country.'”
Such an attack against believers could result more anti-Christian sentiment. Already, there have been reports of increased activity targeting believers and church leaders, in particular.
So, it is a concern for those involved with evangelism, Nettleton explains. “There are forces within the Indian society that would like to see more anti-conversion laws, stronger anti-conversion laws. We’re seeing attacks in the physical realm, attacks against pastors, and I think this represents attacks in the political realm of, ‘Let’s see what we can do to close down the church.'”
Pray that pressure from Hindu groups on the government will let up and that freedom of religion will be recognized throughout India.
Pray too, for protection for pastors, evangelists and other Christian workers as they share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
