A social boycott in a fishing community in southern India continues to oppress the lives of Christians after almost two months, with no signs of change. Please pray for these faithful believers.
After eight months, Christians in a fishing community in a coastal village of southern India are still facing immense pressure because of a social boycott. There are no signs of alleviation, and believers fear for the future.
Earlier in the year, the community in the state of Andhra Pradesh announced plans to build a Hindu mandir – or temple for the village goddess. Christians declined to contribute, and the backlash has been severe, with individuals denied access to communal fishing areas, excluded from social gatherings, and cut off from essential goods and services.
Avni Reddy*, an Open Doors local partner, explains the change: “Generally speaking, when communities in India are asked to contribute towards the building of a Hindu temple, they’re not forced to pay up. It’s not common for Christians or people from other religions to contribute.
“But in this particular case, the people behind the boycott are Hindutva nationalists – it’s an ideology which means that to be truly Indian you have to be Hindu.
“We’re not sure how long it might go on for.”
“They are bringing this opposition against Christians as a way of trying to force them to contribute to the temple construction,” he says. “This is the first time that this kind of thing has happened… We’re not sure how long it might go on for.”
About 100 Christian families are the victims of this discrimination, and the situation is only becoming more desperate for the boycott’s targets.
Many are making the hard decision to look elsewhere for work and customers, whilst others are struggling simply to eat and drink each day. “All these years, we all go together to fish in the boat,” says one fisherman. “But now they don’t allow us to go along with them. Now I have to go to another village to sell the fish. We are family of ten. My income has reduced due to all these restrictions, and I am struggling so much.”
A community once united has been torn apart by the discrimination. Its effects extend to how individuals can even interact with each other. “We are not able to talk to people next to our door. If we do so, we will be fined,” says one woman.
This fine is paralysing, coming to 5,000 Indian rupee, which is almost £43 – more than a week’s average salary in Andhra Pradesh.
“We are now treated as aliens.”
She continues, “When we go to the shop, they refused to sell items. Due to this, we struggle a lot to lead our daily lives. We feel very sad that we are now treated as aliens in the place where we have been living together for years.”
A widow with five children says tearfully, “My husband passed away couple of months ago. When I was left with my five children to care for, my mother supported me and invested a huge amount of money to start a small grocery shop to meet our needs. Soon after, the village announced this boycott, and no one comes to my shop. I’ve lost my business. It’s heartbreaking.”
Local authorities have been called upon to amend the situation, but the village leaders continually refuse to attend. Believers have filed a case in the High Court with the help of a Christian lawyer. However, they must wait another two months for a hearing.
India is number 11 on the World Watch List, and this boycott reflects the challenges many Christians face as a minority in the country. Please continue to keep our Indian family in your prayers.
*Names changed for security reasons
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