Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan is calling on Christians around the world to pray and fast in support of believers in India who are under threat of forced conversion, physical harm, and even death.

Christians in the Dangs district of Gujarat are considering whether to evacuate in advance of a major gathering of Hindu extremist groups. The Shabri Kumb festival, to be held Feb. 11-13, could attract a half-million Hindus chanting the slogan, “Arise Oh Hindus! Throw out the Christians!”

“The total Christian population of Dangs today is more than the 8,000 often quoted,” Dr. Yohannan said. But the concern is that the gathering could unleash a wave of violence against tribal Christians.

“Hindu homes are being marked with yellow flags,” he explained, “leaving the small population of Christians extremely vulnerable to attack — as many already have been.

“The anti-Christian extremists are doing it to make a statement to the rest of India that this pattern of re-conversion can be used across the nation. This is the pattern they used for the persecution of Muslims a few years ago.”

Persecution of Christians is not uncommon across India, but it is especially dangerous in Gujarat, where there is a history of mass murder, including the killing of women and children. This is done by the most aggressive, extreme Hindu elements, who believe in killing those who oppose them.

Dr. Yohannan said more churches have been destroyed in Gujarat than anywhere else in India.

“Christians in the West must resolve to pray and fast,” he said. “The situation is urgent; Christians all over India are in peril. In just the past few days we have received reports of our native missionaries being beaten and church meetings attacked in two other Indian states. Another of our missionaries was recently kidnapped. Unfortunately, this happens almost daily, and the pace is increasing. The fanatics are becoming bolder and bolder.

“We pray that God will protect the innocent tribal people who have been faithfully following Christ, and for the missionaries who are ministering among them, bringing them God’s hope for a new life that has been denied by the Hindus for centuries.”

According to Dr. Yohannan, the fanatics’ hate of Christians is being driven by fear and by selfish greed. He said prayers should also be directed for the persecutors.

“Only Christ can change their hearts,” he said.