A deadline of 30 April was set for Christian families in Chhattisgarh state to renounce their faith in Jesus. Since then, pressures and uncertainty have only increased. Facing such intense opposition, please stand with our Indian brothers and sisters and intercede for them in prayer.

 

Since the ultimatum given to tribal Christians in Chhattisgarh state on Thursday 30 April, the pressure and difficulty they face have only intensified. Meanwhile, council meetings in which attendees are pressing believers to attend reconversion rituals have become more frequent.

The social pressure is not the only challenge our brothers and sisters are facing. Some village councils are restricting access to Tendu leaf, a major source of income and livelihood for many Christian villagers. Believers in some areas can no longer collect wood as well, essential for both housing and cooking. Their only options, according to those opposing them, are to either reconvert or leave their village.

Your prayers needed

Local pastors are praying and waiting to lodge an official complaint against the ultimatum given. However, since the implementation of the new Freedom of Religion Law in Chhattisgarh, it has become difficult for Christians to gain the police’s help.

Dhruv Baiga*, a local partner of Open Doors, states that pastors have been barred from entering numerous villages by their councils and priests, whilst recent restrictions mean local Christians are losing their livelihoods and are increasingly uncertain of what lies ahead.

Please continue to stand with our brothers and sisters in Chhattisgarh facing hostility and fear – that they would remain steadfast in faith, have all their needs met and be protected by the hand of the Lord. Pray, too, for the overturning of the ultimatum and for many hearts to turn to Christ.

*Name changed for security reasons

Urgent: pray for Indian Christians under pressure to reconvert

Christians in India are asking you to urgently pray over the next few days as some tribal believers are under tremendous pressure to go back to their previous faith. If they don’t do so at a ‘Ghar Wapsi’ (an event meaning ‘homecoming’, where converts return to their former beliefs) on 30 April, they are being threatened with significant consequences. 

The threats are being made by a prominent organisation that represents tribal communities in Chhattisgarh state, one of India’s states with the most restrictive anti-conversion laws. These laws make it very difficult to leave your previous faith if you follow Jesus.  

On 19 April, the organisation, Sarva Adivasi Samaj (an umbrella organisation of tribal groups, existing most prominently in Chhattisgarh), assembled around 800 people demanding the reconversion of any Christian converts. At that meeting, village representatives from several villages alleged that attempts to convert people from traditional customs and faith in tribal deities are increasing in the area. They stated that such conversions will not be tolerated within the community. 

Although no specific individuals were named, they demanded strict action against those who have converted. The main speaker emphasised that this is not only a religious issue, but also a matter of social coexistence – Christianity being viewed as a significant threat to cultural and ethnic identity. Representatives of the Sarva Adivasi Samaj have appealed to the administration to intervene immediately to maintain peace and preserve traditions in the area. 

Threats against the church 

Such meetings are being held regularly to formulate strategies to reconvert those who have embraced Christianity. The invitation was also extended to the converted families, but none of them attended. 

Another meeting was held on 28 April in Pipalwand village, Bastar district. Village councils from around 18 villages gathered to express their support for the society’s demands against tribal Christians. The councils also warned that they would demolish churches in the 18 villages represented and bar pastors from entering their villages.

As well as church demolition, Sarva Adivasi Samaj has threatened mass protests and legal action against those who do not comply, citing the new Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill 2026, which places significant restrictions on the freedom to convert. 

Due to increasing social pressure, some families have expressed their willingness to undergo the ‘Ghar Wapsi’ ceremony, while several other Christians are reportedly living in fear of a large-scale protests and forced reconversions. 

Stand with them 

At this uncertain and seemingly paralysing time for our brothers and sisters, they urgently need our prayers to stand firm in their faith. Please join them and pray, 

• That tribal Christians, especially new converts, would remain steadfast in their faith despite the immense pressure they are facing 

• For the authorities as they make decisions, that they would act fairly and justly without bias, protecting people of all faiths 

• That the Lord would guard His people in Chhattisgarh and across India, empowering them to bear witness to Jesus and bring His grace and truth to their communities. 

Source and photo: Open Doors