Christianity in India
July 3rd is Indian Christian Day (Yeshu Bhakti Divas)
Christianity in India originates with the evangelicalq labors of Apostle Saint Thomas. St. Thomas arrived in India in 52 A.D., less than 20 years after the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which was in 33 A.D. St. Thomas would later be martyred in India, watering the country with his Martyr-Apostle's blood, as Jesus Christ watered Jerusalem and all the earth with His divine Blood.
Population of India's Christians
Open Doors estimates the Population of India's Christians at a massive 70 Million, 71,120,000 (5%) in 2024 which however is only 5% of India's huge population of 1.4 Billion people. India became the most populous country in the world in the year 2023. [1]
Census Numbers
According to the 2011 census, India officially has nearly 30 million Christians. [2] Open Doors estimates the figure for 2020 as over 66 million.[3] Among Indians, it is commonly known that the official figure is underestimated by at least 50%. The results of the 2021 census are awaited when the time comes. In an update, The Government of India clarified that the 2021 census would be the first ever digital census in the history of India, and among the first in the world. [4]
Who is most vulnerable to persecution?
Christians who convert from Hinduism are the most vulnerable to persecution across India, particularly communities who have faced historical oppression or discrimination such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Additionally, church leaders and their families can be particular targets in places that are heavily influenced by Hindu extremists.
See Also
References
- ↑ https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/un-desa-policy-brief-no-153-india-overtakes-china-as-the-worlds-most-populous-country/
- ↑ http://m.firstpost.com/india/india-has-79-8-percent-hindus-14-2-percent-muslims-2016-census-data-on-religion-2407708.html
- ↑ https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/india/
- ↑ https://www.livemint.com/news/india/from-pen-paper-to-digital-how-india-s-first-digital-census-will-be-conducted-11628578006454.html