Indian pastors undergo legal trainings to help them against persecution
Pastors in the state of Telangana, India went through a basic legal course to help them become aware of their rights so they will know how to handle abuse and persecution.
The International Christian Concern (ICC) launched the Persecution Preparedness Training to serve as a "legal first aid kit" that can help churches and church leaders defend themselves through the law when they face abusive authorities.
The latest batch to have gone through the course is a group of pastors from the district of Mehabubnagar in Telangana, which ranks fourth in the country for instances of "religiously motivated violence."
"This training gave me courage and the tools in my hand," Pastor P. Joseph told ICC. "I can go back to my church and encourage the members of my church. I have learned to use the law and protect myself and my church."
Pastors in India are aware that they could face persecution for their religious beliefs. Although the Bible teaches believers to "turn the other cheek," it also teaches the people of God to fight for justice.
India being a democratic country allows its citizens by law to practice religious freedom. However, church leaders in rural parts of India are not aware of the basic human rights that the law affords them. The training is a helpful tool that allows them to defend themselves, their livelihood and their communities.
One pastor who went through the Persecution Preparedness Training said he felt "empowered" after attending it.
"I did not know that the FIR (First Information Report) is my basic right. On [a] number of occasions, I was denied justice by denying [myself] the FIR in the police station," Pastor Yuvaraj told ICC.
With increasing religious discrimination in India, pastors should be prepared. The training helps strenghten them and the churches.
India, where the main religion is Hindu, is a country where Christians suffer from "severe" persecution, according to Open Doors. As radical Hinduism has intensified in recent years, religious minorities have suffered from abuse and violence.
