Mani, a Christian widow, and her son were disowned by her inlaws. csi
Across India, Christians face discrimination or persecution as members of a minority religion. Christian Solidarity International (CSI) is active in several Indian states, providing support to individuals and churches targeted on account of their faith. On a recent visit, a CSI team met with pastors and other Christians and heard their stories of perseverance in the face of attacks.
As a small minority, Christians enjoy little protection in India, which is governed by the Hindu-nationalist BJP. Under the rising influence of Hindu extremism, states are increasingly adopting anti-conversion laws that are frequently misused to prosecute Christian pastors for merely carrying out their duties.
Pressured to deny Christ
In northern and central India, CSI provides legal support to pastors who have faced allegations of forcible conversion. These include Neru Bhudshauri. A convert to Christianity himself, Neru started up his own church in 2023 and saw it grow rapidly until as many as 200 people were attending regularly.
Some in the local community perceived the dramatic growth of his congregation as a threat, and in August 2025, a Hindu mob disrupted a worship service Neru was leading. He, his wife, and two elderly men were arrested. In prison they suffered abuse and discrimination from other inmates because they were Christians.
Then Neru got sick and was denied medical treatment. “Because you are involved in conversions, you don’t get help,” the guards told him.
During his 70-day detention, police repeatedly asked the pastor to renounce his faith. When he refused, the authorities warned him not to return to the district. Defiant, Neru responded that once he was free, they would find him there again, continuing to share the gospel.
Neru’s case is still ongoing. As he awaits its conclusion, CSI’s partner is continuing to provide legal support.
Suffering and perseverance
Ram Prasad, also from northern India, was arrested following a complaint that he and others were conducting illegal conversions. Ram’s father organized prayer meetings that would take place outside their home and were attended by more than 100 people.
In December 2025, more than two years after his arrest, Ram was finally acquitted by a court. Now free, he has begun studying law. “This incident did not weaken me but rather was a motivating factor for me to study law,” he says. “I want to advocate for people who experience unjustness, especially for illiterate people who can’t defend themselves.”
Ram’s story is one of both suffering and perseverance, comments CSI’s project manager for India. “He and his family faced arrest, false accusations, and pressure simply because of their faith. Yet through it all, they received help at critical moments, stood firm, and continued in their belief.”
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Driven out of their village
In the tribal belt of central India, radical Hindu nationalist groups spread the message that Christians are a threat to their land, their culture, and their gods. Villagers are told that they must not allow any other faith to take root. As a result, people are encouraged to push Christians out of their communities.
Pastor Soma and 31 families from his church network were driven into hiding following a violent attack by a Hindu mob shortly before Christmas last year. The trigger was a Christian burial that took place on December 16 on private land outside the village. On the following day around 200 villagers attempted to exhume the body, prompting the police to intervene. Matters escalated further on December 18 when a mob of nearly 5,000 people, including extremist elements, returned to the village.
The mob forcibly exhumed the body, brutally assaulted grieving family members and church believers, and openly pressured the Christian community to renounce their faith. The believers stood firm in their faith and refused to submit to these demands. As a result, they were mercilessly beaten and driven from their homes. Their houses and personal belongings were set on fire. Families fled to nearby villages and safer locations.
Months later, the situation remains critical. “The displaced 31 families have no food, no income, and no access to basic necessities,” says the CSI project manager. “They are dependent on outside support and are living in fear.”
Pastor Soma dares not return home in case he is arrested and contact with his family, who are under police surveillance, is only possible using different phone numbers. Yet Soma’s main concern is for his congregation. Soma asks for prayers, legal support, and humanitarian assistance for the displaced families who have lost everything and are struggling to survive. He says, “I keep wondering, how is my family, how is my congregation, how are the believers, how are the other pastors? I find it hard to sleep.”
Widow cast out by in-laws
In parts of eastern India, Christians also face discrimination and social ostracism. In March 2025, Mani, a widowed Christian, and her son Manglu were thrown out of the house of her Hindu in-laws. “If you renounce your faith, you can come back,” Mani was told.
CSI helped the widow to find somewhere else to live. Now, although life is still a challenge, things are looking up, and Mani has work to support her and her son. “I’m happy, because now I and my son are safe,” says Mani.
Pastor receives death threats
In southern India, where there is a growing evangelical movement, attacks on churches and worshipers are commonplace. Police and the authorities often fail to respond to these attacks.
Pastor Peter had been leading a small church for 15 years without incident. But last November, Hindu radicals attacked the church compound, causing severe damage. Now the landowner has told Peter he has to look for another site for his church.
However, this is no easy matter: no one is willing to rent a building to him. For months Peter has not been able to hold regular church services, and instead visits church members in their homes for prayer.
Peter has now been warned that his name is on a list of pastors targeted for killing by radicals. When asked how this threat affects him, he says: “First I feared a lot, but then I started praying and then I decided that we are doing ministry for God, so God will take care of us. That is my only hope.”
Peter is receiving support from a local pastors’ network supported by CSI.
