ICC Note: Thousands of Christians in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu took to the streets to protest increasing harassment and violence faced by their community. The April 17 protest gathered some 20,000 Christians from at least 16 cities and towns in Tamil Nadu. The protestors called on the state and federal government to take action against Hindu radical groups responsible for the increase in persecution.  

04/19/2018 India (UCAN) – Thousands of Christians took to the streets during protests across the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on April 17 to demand government action to stop what they call increasing harassment and violence against Christians.

Some 20,000 Christians from various denominations filled roads in at least 16 cities and towns shouting slogans against government inaction to check anti-Christian activities allegedly carried out by upper-caste Hindu groups.

The Synod of Pentecostal Churches in Tamil Nadu organized the protest as Christians have been subjected to at least 15 cases of violence in the first three months of this year.

Incidents include the mysterious death of a pastor who was found dead a week after he complained to police about harassment from hard-line Hindus.

“We are facing lot of persecution in our state,” synod general secretary K.B. Edison told ucanews.com.

“The peaceful protest was to get the attention of the state and federal government about the serious need for security and protection of the Christian minority.

“In the past four years we have faced many challenges. Our churches are being attacked, they are being burned, pastors’ lives are under threat. We are not able to bear these atrocities. They are even burning Bibles.

“We have approached the state government several times but disappointingly no action has been taken.”

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