A Christian convention in Rajasthan ended in the arrest of 13 believers after Hindu extremist groups accused the organizers of unlawful religious conversion.
Nearly two months later, the pastors and tribal Christians remain in jail as their families face intimidation, financial hardship, and an uncertain legal battle.
A three-day Christian convention in June, organized by local tribal Christians in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, was disrupted by Hindutva extremist groups.
On June 5, 2026, the final day of the convention, extremist groups disrupted the gathering of around 200 believers, recorded videos of the event, and circulated them on social media while accusing the organizers of forcibly converting tribal people to Christianity.
Local tribal Christians have traditionally organized such conventions every two or three years as opportunities for worship, fellowship, and Gospel preaching.
Following the disruption, police registered a case against 13 Christians—two pastors and 11 others, on allegations of allurement, insulting Hindu beliefs, and unlawfully converting tribal people to Christianity. According to local sources, political pressure influenced the authorities to detain all 13 individuals, leading to their arrest.
Police also questioned and intimidated the families of the arrested believers. According to our sources, the majority of these families come from poor and marginalized communities.
Persecution in India
- Religious nationalism
- Ethno-religious hostility
- Dictatorial paranoia
- Clan oppression
The accused continue to remain in jail, and the legal proceedings are ongoing. The court has yet to deliver its final judgment.
Where do Christians experience the
most persecution?
In 2025, Rajasthan government enacted the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025, introducing stricter regulations concerning religious conversions.
One Open Doors partner shares,
“It’s been almost two months since the 13 believers were imprisoned, and the case is still ongoing. Following the implementation of the anti-conversion law and the arrest of these Christians, the Christian community has become fearful of gathering, whether publicly or privately.
“Many house churches have stopped meeting. Christian activities are under surveillance, and even Christian centres hesitate to rent their premises for Christian activities. Local political representatives of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), along with Hindutva extremist groups, actively oppose Christians by delivering hate speeches against tribal Christians, thus creating dispute among villagers. Christians are often accused of receiving foreign funds and converting others to Christianity through allurement.”
Open Doors local partners are conducting persecution preparedness seminars for the Christians in Rajasthan to prepare the community to stand strong through such persecution situations. Despite continuous monitoring and strict surveillance, the partners are taking precautions and ministering the persecuted community through presence ministry and reaching out to the affected Christians with practical aid.
Pray
Kindly pray for the 13 people who were detained. Pray that they are granted bail soon so that they could rejoin their family members. May the Lord open new ways for them and provide help.
Please pray for the families of the people who were detained. May the Lord be with them and comfort them. Pray that they may not lose hope but find God’s favour.
Pray for the right judgement from the judiciary.
Pray for the persecution that in continuously increasing in Rajasthan. May the Lord be with His people.
*Name changed for security reasons
