[Today's Prayer] “In India, Even the Graves of Christians Buried 20 Years Ago Are Being Exhumed and Their Remains Burned”

A shocking incident has occurred in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, where followers of a tribal religion reportedly exhumed the remains of a Christian who had been buried about 20 years ago and burned them.

According to Christian Daily International (CDI), human rights lawyer Degree Prasad Chouhan of Chhattisgarh recently testified about the incident at the People's Tribunal on Violence Against Christians in India held in New Delhi. He stated, “Members of tribal religious communities in the Bastar region dug up the remains of Christians, burned them, and scattered the ashes.”

Attorney Chouhan explained, “This incident goes beyond simple vandalism and carries the meaning of a threat and warning directed toward the local Christian community.”

(Omitted)

Participants testified about cases of Christian persecution occurring in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Odisha, and other regions.

Particular attention was given to cases involving violations of Christians' rights related to funerals and burials. Father Ajay Singh, former director of the Odisha Catholic Social Action Forum, stated, “Christians are repeatedly being denied access to community cemeteries or having funeral processions disrupted.” He added, “In some areas, there have even been reports of bodies being moved against the wishes of family members and forced reconversion ceremonies being imposed.”

(Omitted)

Veteran journalist, human rights activist, and hearing organizer John Dayal recalled the 1999 killing of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, Philip and Timothy, in the village of Manoharpur in Odisha's Keonjhar district.

At the time, while sleeping in their vehicle, they were burned alive when a mob led by Dara Singh, a member of the Hindu nationalist group Bajrang Dal, set the vehicle on fire.

Dayal said, “A later judicial inquiry report included language implying that Staines had brought the crime upon himself by converting people.” He explained that after civil society groups challenged this, appealed to the Chief Justice of India, and raised objections, the statement was eventually removed from the official record.

(Omitted)

Meanwhile, attacks against Christians are not limited to funeral-related issues. Across India, there has been an increase in cases where prayer meetings and house church gatherings are suspected of being illegal conversion activities, resulting in police investigations and arrests.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), an organization representing the interests of Indian Christians, reported 747 cases of violence, intimidation, and discrimination against Christians during 2025. This is more than five times the 147 cases recorded in 2014, when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) first came to power.

In addition, the international Christian persecution watchdog Open Doors gave India a persecution score of 84 out of 100 in its 2026 World Watch List. During the most recent reporting period, 1,622 Christians were recorded as having been arrested or detained, and the violence index reached its highest level ever.

(Omitted)

Human rights organizations point out that although freedom of religion is guaranteed under India's constitution, in practice many Christians are unable to freely enjoy even basic religious activities such as worship services, funerals, and community life.

(End excerpt)

Source: Christian Today

“And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.’” (Revelation 15:3–4)

Lord, we hear the heartbreaking news of the exhumation and burning of the remains of a Christian buried twenty years ago in Chhattisgarh, India, along with many other testimonies of persecution against Christians throughout the nation.

Although freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution, Christians in India continue to suffer violations of their rights regarding funerals and burials. Prayer meetings and house church worship services are often suspected of being illegal conversion activities, leading to police investigations and arrests. Lord, please protect and show mercy to Indian Christians who continue to stand firm in their faith amid these challenges.

Please watch over the Indian Church, which has borne fruit through the sacrifice and martyrdom of missionaries sent to India. Remove the deception that prevents the people of India from hearing the Gospel, and expose every falsehood that keeps them from the truth.

Raise up more workers who, like Moses, will lead the people of India out of falsehood, and who, like the Lamb, will willingly sacrifice themselves for India's salvation. Raise up countless disciples throughout India who will follow the righteous and true way of Jesus Christ, the Almighty King of all nations, whose works are great and marvelous.

Through the obedience of the Indian Church, which proclaims that Your name alone is worthy of fear and glory and that You alone are holy regardless of persecution and suffering, may the day quickly come when all nations bow before Jesus Christ in worship.

And through one million missionaries from India, may all nations sing the song of Jesus Christ and joyfully welcome His return. Amen.