Twenty-six families were expelled from their home village in Chhattisgarh, India, after being ordered by village leaders and residents to leave their Christian faith.
The families were forced to leave their homes in the village of Bharanda on 23 June.
They have since been allowed to return, but tensions remain.
Some of the Indian Christians left homeless after being expelled from their home village
The expulsion follows a period of tension in the village, with Sunday worship services disrupted on 14 June and 21 June.
“This incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by Christians in parts of Chhattisgarh, where social pressure, discrimination and village-level exclusion are increasingly being used against Christian converts,” said a Barnabas Aid contact.
“The displacement of entire families due to their faith raises serious concerns regarding religious freedom, community rights and the welfare of vulnerable believers.”
“Despite these difficult circumstances, the faith of the believers has remained remarkably strong,” the contact added. “Even after experiencing rejection, displacement from their homes, social isolation and ongoing intimidation, they have chosen to remain faithful to Jesus Christ.
“Their commitment to their faith has encouraged other believers in the surrounding areas who are also facing various forms of persecution.”
Allegations of unlawful conversions
Our contact reported that the families were only allowed to return to the village on condition that they recieve no visits pastors, ministry workers or other Christians from outside the village.
The expulsion followed accusations from the majority community of unlawful “conversion” practices.
In March 2026 Chhattisgarh passed a new Freedom of Religion Bill (commonly referred to as an anti-conversion law) that strengthens the existing law regulating religious conversions and criminalising those believed to be obtained through force, fraud or allurement.
Extremists often wrongly believe that such laws criminalise all conversions from Hinduism, or even that they outlaw any form of Christian worship.
On 31 May, at least eight Christians were severely injured when extremists attacked a Sunday worship service in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma District.
How you can pray
Pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters as the face continuing hostility. Thank the Lord that police and local authorities acted to protect them and that they have been able to return to their homes. Ask that efforts to resolve the situation peacefully will be fruitful. Above all, pray that they will each remain steadfast in their Christian faith.
