Christians in the Indian state of Rajasthan have reportedly been subjected to a wave of attacks following efforts by the local assembly to introduce new anti-conversion legislation.
Last week, about 50 Hindu extremists surrounded the Hindustan Bible Institute in Jaipur, accusing believers inside of forcibly converting people to Christianity. According to persecution watchdog Release International, the Christians strongly denied the accusations but were left shaken. Police reportedly detained two of them and confiscated the institute’s laptops.
It is the latest in a string of incidents targeting Christians since the Rajasthan Assembly passed the anti-conversion bill at the beginning of September. Three days before the incident at the Bible Institute, a pastor in the region was assaulted while leading worship at a private home.
Other incidents since the bill’s passage include reports of police harassment and a break-in at a children’s hostel in which two Christian staff members were assaulted.
The violence has been condemned by the Jaipur Christian Fellowship and several interfaith organizations.
Rev. Rajnish Jacob, chairman of the Assemblies of God, North India, told Morning Star News that the legislation has been devastating for the Christian community.
“Since the bill’s passage in the assembly, over 40 Assemblies of God churches in Rajasthan were forced to close, and some pastors are now being pursued by police for arrest,” he said. “What’s most troubling is that this enforcement is happening even before the governor has signed the legislation into law.”
India is ranked number 11 on Open Doors’ World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe persecution.