Religious groups have relentlessly persecuted Christians in India, according to recent reports.
Hindus allegedly cut off the water supply for Christian families in the Jalalabad village in the northern district of Utter Pradesh, The Christian Post reported.
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“Having recently returned from India, I witnessed firsthand accounts of pastors imprisoned and churches attacked by mobs of Hindu radicals, not to mention the abysmal saga of Compassion International, wherein the Indian government’s crackdown — on this and other organizations — has led to tens of thousands of children throughout India losing access to medical care, meals, and tuition,” David Curry, president of Open Doors USA, wrote in an op-ed in The Hill on June 24.
Open Doors USA ministers to persecuted Christians in over 60 countries.
Villagers in Jalalabad allegedly also pressured Christians to convert to Hinduism. “A mob led by the village president and his advisers beat up a group of Christians with sticks,” The Christian Post reported on June 26. “They were also made to deny Christ. At least 13 young Christians caved in to pressure and reconverted back to Hinduism. The four couples who refused were beaten up.”
Indian authorities reportedly charged 10 Christians with attempting to convert Hindu youth to Christianity, Fox News reported on May 30. The children involved, according to reports, are considered Hindu if their parents do not fill out legal paperwork to change their religion.
Christians make up approximately 2.3 percent of India’s 1.3 million-plus people.
Given this “rise in brutal persecution,” not just of Christians but of other religious minorities as well, Curry of Open Doors wondered what President Donald Trump might say about the issue to Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week.
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Trump and Modi had their first face-to-face meeting on Monday, June 26, in Washington, D.C.
“In marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and the United States, the leaders resolved to expand and deepen the strategic partnership between the countries and advance common objectives,” according to the White House press office. “Above all, these objectives include combating terrorist threats, promoting stability across the Indo-Pacific region, increasing free and fair trade, and strengthening energy linkages.”
Trump described India as a “true friend” during joint remarks with the prime minister on Monday.
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“The friendship between the United States and India is built on shared values, including our shared commitment to democracy,” Trump stated. “Not many people know it, but both [the] American and the Indian constitutions begin with the same three very beautiful words: We the people.”
“Together, our countries can help chart an optimistic path into the future, one that unleashes the power of new technology, new infrastructure, and the enthusiasm and excitement of very hardworking and very dynamic people,” Trump added.
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