The World Alliance of Reformed Churches has expressed grave concern over the growing violence against Christians in the country.

May 01, 2010: The World Alliance of Reformed Churches has expressed grave concern over the growing violence against Christians in the country.

"We are very concerned at the escalating incidents of violence against Christians. I have personally called our member churches all over the world to pray for churches in India," WARC General Secretary the Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi said on Friday.

WARC is one of the oldest confessional bodies, serving more than 75 million Christians in about 107 countries. Among the WARC member churches in India are the CSI, CNI and Presbyterian Church.

Speaking to Christian Today, Nyomi refuted the allegations of "forceful conversions" and said it is used as a pretense to subdue minorities.

"Under the pretense of conversion, too many times Christians are being persecuted. It is my hope and prayer that the Indian government and security forces will investigate and take this matter seriously."

Last year, the Evangelical Fellowship of India recorded 152 incidents of violence against Christians in the predominantly Hindu country.

Earlier, in August 2008, Hindu extremists carried out the worst religious persecution in India's 60 years of democracy. At least 120 people were murdered, 250 churches were destroyed and over 50,000 individuals were displaced.

Nyomi urged churches to pray for the people in India so that "God can bring justice to the deprived."

He also emphasized that violence against any religious community must be condemned.

"Not only Christians, even violence against other religious minorities must be condemned. No human being must be persecuted for his faith," he said.

Nyomi added that India has a pride among nations for being the largest democracy of the world. He hopes this would be maintained by ensuring the development and protection of all sections of the society. Dibin Samuel, Christian Today Reporter.