[Today’s Prayer] 100 Christians from 8 villages in Chhattisgarh, India, face expulsion and confusion of property

Several villages in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh have passed resolutions “banning Christians from staying there,” putting around 100 people at risk of having their properties confiscated.

British Christian Today (CT) reported, citing Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), that “eight village councils in Sukma district collectively approved a resolution stating that ‘Christians will lose all their possessions if they do not renounce their faith.’”

A leader from Michwar district, who supported the ordinance, reportedly argued that “the powers of the village council trump Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.”

“The ban is seen as a move to eradicate Christianity in the area and has forced at least 40 people from their homes,” Asia News reported.

On November 18, Christians filed a complaint with the Ghadiras police station, presenting video evidence of what Chief Mitswar had said. However, the police refused to file a formal complaint, which would have been necessary to initiate a legal investigation.

Instead, the police took the accusers to a field, where when they arrived they were met by a mob of about 1,500 people who were looting the Christians' crops and demanding that they renounce their faith. The police quickly withdrew, leaving the Christians without protection.

About 40 people who lost their property are currently taking refuge in a church building in Mitswar. Christians in the area fear continued attacks and persecution as the police do not take immediate action.

The violence and forced eviction of Christians in Sukma village comes at a time of rising tensions in communities across India. The Delhi-based United Christian Forum said there had been 673 incidents of violence against Christians across India through October this year, including 139 in Chhattisgarh alone.

The US-based persecution watchdog International Christian Coalition (ICC) reported that in a separate incident on October 30 in Chhattisgarh state's Dantewada district, "14 Christians were attacked by a mob while police looked on."

Christians who defied orders to renounce their faith and harvested crops in communal fields were beaten with wooden sticks. Several victims, including two women, suffered serious injuries, including broken bones and head trauma. The victims' homes were also destroyed, and police officers who tried to intervene were injured.

“There are higher authorities supporting the mob,” said Christian rights activist Nagesh Micha.

Source: Christian Today

Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. (1 John 3:13-14)

God, we hear that more than 100 Christians in eight villages in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh are facing deportation and property confiscation.

Please protect the Christians of Chhattisgarh from violence and attacks as they take refuge in their churches, unable to get help from even the police.

May the Christians of Chhattisgarh not lose their faith even though the world hates them. May they remember the love of Jesus on the cross, so that they may share the gospel in love with the mobs that persecute them.

Let the Christians of Chhattisgarh experience the power of loving their persecutors and passing from death into life

May their persecutors come to know the love of Jesus through the gospel shared by Christians in Chhattisgarh.

We desire to see the churches of India to join with the Christians of Chhattisgarh in fighting the good fight of faith through prayer and support. Help the Indian church to overcome together in love

Unite and restore the land of India through love!

May the global church hear from Christians in India and be given a channel through which to help them. Enable the global church to partner in prayer and other ways.

Please unite the Indian church with the gospel and raise up a nation of restoration to fulfill the vision of one million missionaries!