India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully expecting to be swept back to power with a substantial majority this week.
The waning of Hindu nationalism?
He has succeeded in achieving a historic third term – but, in the words of the Guardian editorial of the 5th June, “rarely has an election victory looked more like defeat”. "The election results have paved the way for a return to a more democratic India," Dr Michael Williams, president of the Delhi-based United Christian Forum, said.
Modi's was the largest party – but he has been forced to rely on other parties to make up the necessary majority in parliament. The rise of his BJP party, which is centred around the strongman, charismatic figure, has been mirrored by the rise in corruption, in hatred against Muslims, and, in particular, in the persecution of Christians.
Modi's reduced majority will prevent him from pursuing his agenda to amend India's liberal democratic Constitution in favour of a Hindu Rashtra (nation), which many feared would disenfranchise religious minorities and undermine the rights of indigenous people.
Revival
It is notable that the strongest swings against the BJP have been in states such as Uttar Pradesh, where there are significant numbers of Dalits, or ‘untouchables’. These are the people who have responded in greatest numbers to Christ in recent years – in part, because Christianity offers them equality and dignity, in stark contrast to the discrimination and economic servitude imposed upon them through the caste system.
It is far too soon to know what impact the election results will have on India’s Christian population, and the opportunities for mission that have been so greatly decimated in recent years.
Indeed, some parts of the Indian subcontinent are seeing remarkable growth in numbers joining the Church; not least in Nagaland, a stronghold of the Christian faith in northeastern India, from where reports of revival are being received (and not for the first time); and in nearby Rajasthan, where hundreds of Hindus recently abandoned witchcraft and occult practices and turned to Christ. Yet the reality remains, that Christians comprise less than 2.5% of India's population, and Hindus about 80%.
It is far too soon to know what impact the election results will have on India’s Christian population, and the opportunities for mission that have been so greatly decimated in recent years (though where they have occurred, there has been remarkable success). But it may be that Modi will have to seek compromise much more than before, leading to a reversal of the worst of the Hindu nationalism that has brought such damage to Christian churches (and also to the Muslim population).
Persecution
Hindu nationalism seeks to equate Hinduism with being Indian – and has led to anti-conversion laws being imposed in twelve states. These laws are used by nationalists to target Christians with false accusations, harass them and chase them out of their communities. Christian NGOs are also often expelled or forbidden, and attacks made on churches – all of this with little legal recourse for the victims.
These laws are used by nationalists to target Christians with false accusations, harass them and chase them out of their communities.
Attacks of Christians in India are all too real, and are on the rise. A total of 161 incidents of anti-Christian discrimination and persecution – perpetrated by a combination of private individuals and public bodies – were reported in the first 75 days of 2024, as recorded by the United Christian Forum for Human Rights. Almost 30% of the cases occurred in Chhattisgarh – a state notorious for the ostracisation of Christians – including villagers denying their neighbours the right to bury their dead according to Christian rites.
Prayer
Open Doors has produced a prayer guide for those wishing to pray for India at this crucial time.
In summary, it asks us to focus on praying for:
- the protection of religious freedom, in particular praying against further states adopting anti-conversion laws, and that existing laws would be repealed;
- those affected by the recent rise in incidents of persecution;
- Christians in India to experience God’s security and protection and continue to stand strong in the face of persecution.
