"If worshiping Jesus is a crime, then I will do it every day"

Secondo International Christian Concern, the international association that deals with the human rights of Christians and religious minorities, the authorities of Chhattisgarh, in India, they are forcing Christians to convert to Hinduism with fines and subjecting them to public humiliation.

In Junwani village, for example, the religious services that took place last Easter were declared illegal and those who attended were sentenced to pay a fine of around 278 euros, an amount equivalent to four or five months' salary in that region.

The situation could get worse, according to a local pastor. Some believers have openly challenged the authorities and challenged the fines.

“What crimes have I committed in order for me to have to pay a fine? I have not stolen anything, I have not contaminated any woman, I have not caused fights, let alone kill someone, "he told the village elders. Kanesh Singh, a 55-year-old man. And again: "If anyone thinks that going to church and worshiping Jesus is a crime, I will commit this crime every day."

Komra donkeys, 40, another villager, said that before going to church he suffered from "physical illnesses and mental disorders" and Jesus healed him. He added that he would not stop attending religious services.

Shivaram TekamHe was then forced to donate "two chickens, a bottle of wine and 551 rupees" for participating in the Easter Sunday worship.

Many believers, however, have chosen to practice their faith in secret: “They can prevent me from going to church, but they cannot take Jesus out of my heart. I will find a way to go to church in secret, ”Shivaram Tekam said.

According to a report byEvangelical Fellowship of India, in 2016 there was more persecution of Christians in the country than in 2014 and 2015 combined. Furthermore, today, in India, there is an attack on Christians every 40 hours.