Tag: Anti-conversion law

Nepal PM promises religious freedom

October 28, 2014 Nepal Anti-conversion law, Hindu nationalism, India, Islamic extremism, Nepal, Sushil Koirala

Nepal Prime Minster Sushil Koirala says religious freedom will be guaranteed in the country’s new constitution, which the national political parties have promised to complete in January 2015. Koirala made his pledge Oct. 6 to an audience of Muslims, who make up about 4 percent of Nepal’s 26 million people. . . . Read More

Attack on India prayer meeting puts 25 in hospital

October 22, 2014 India Andhra Pradesh, Anti-conversion law, Hindutva, RSS

As Cyclone Hudhud churned toward India’s southeastern coastline earlier this month, about 200 Christians in the path of the storm gathered to pray for safety. Twenty-five of them were hospitalized, three of them with serious injuries — not because of the cyclone, but because of a violent mob that accused . . . Read More

Sri Lanka’s Christians protest after January attacks

January 28, 2014 Sri Lanka Anti-conversion law, Buddhist nationalism, Colombo, Protestants

More than 2,000 Christians gathered in Colombo on Sunday (January 26) to protest against a perceived lack of religious freedom in Sri Lanka, following recent attacks on Christian places of worship by Buddhist extremists. Two churches and a Christian prayer centre were attacked on Jan. 12 by Buddhist mobs claiming . . . Read More

All eyes on Sri Lanka as Commonwealth summit begins

November 15, 2013 Sri Lanka Anti-conversion law, Bodu Bala Sena, Buddhist nationalism, Colombo, Commonwealth, Human rights

Sri Lanka’s human rights record has been questioned as a Commonwealth summit takes place in Colombo. Several Commonwealth leaders have boycotted the event, while British Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to ask “tough questions” of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. One of his lines of questioning may focus on . . . Read More

Madhya Pradesh awaits decision on stricter ‘anti-conversion law’

August 1, 2013 India Anti-conversion law, Bhopal, BJP, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Hindutva, Madhya Pradesh

Protesters gather in Jhabua, a town in the west of Madhya Pradesh, on July 24.World Watch Monitor Madhya Pradesh state in central India awaits the outcome of proposed amendments to its ‘anti-conversion law’, which would lengthen prison time and fines for anyone convicted of forcing someone to change their . . . Read More

In India, a familiar pattern of pressure on Christians

July 29, 2013 India Andhra Pradesh, Anti-conversion law, BJP, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Hindutva, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Pentecostals, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh

In vast and diverse India, Christians often live freely. Yet India ranks among the 50 countries where life as a Christian is most difficult, according to Open Doors International, a global ministry that serves Christians who are pressured because of their faith. The country is No. 31 on Open Doors’ . . . Read More

Indian Christians forced into Hindu worship, driven from homes

July 17, 2012 India Anti-conversion law, Burial, Chhattisgarh, Hindu nationalism, India

JAWANGA, Chhattisgarh state, India, July 17 (World Watch Monitor) – Hindu extremists forced 15 Christians to participate in Hindu worship rituals, then beat them up and rousted them from their village, according to an evangelical organization in India. The Evangelical Fellowship of India said that on June 19, 150 Hindus . . . Read More

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