Christian Freedom International

In India Christians face growing persecution from Hindu radicals.

Republic of India

Population:
1,095,351,995

Religions:
Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1%

Ethnic groups:
Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3%

Government type:
Federal republic

Area:
Slightly more than one-third the size of the US

Overview:
The percentage of Christians is scarce in comparison to the percentage of non-Christians in this country of over one billion people.

Local and state authorities only partially respect freedom of religion in India.

Converting of Hindus to Christianity is not legal. There are reports of American missionaries being attacked by militant Hindus for converting Hindus to Christianity.  These American missionaries were deported from the country.  Since the mid-1960s, the government has refused to admit new resident foreign missionaries. United States citizens accused of religious preaching while visiting India as tourists have been expelled and have faced difficulties obtaining permission to return for up to a decade after the event.

Tribal school children studying in a Christian-run school were publicly told to decide whether they want to live as Hindus or die as Christians.

There are countless records of acts of violence committed by Hindu extremists toward Christians in India.

In India converting to Christianity is illegal.