A mob of Hindu nationalists demolished the homes of four Christian families in a remote village in India’s Maharashtra state after the families refused to abandon their Christian faith, highlighting the growing reality of persecution faced by believers around the world.
The attack occurred in Midapalli village in Gadchiroli District, as reported by The Christian Post, following repeated threats demanding the families renounce Christianity. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, about 20 people confronted six Christian families, totaling roughly 25 individuals, and issued an ultimatum to convert or face consequences.
Homes Destroyed and Authorities Accused of Intimidation
The mob returned the following day, Jan. 12, and destroyed the homes of four families after they again refused to renounce their faith. When the displaced families later attempted to file a complaint at the Kavande Police Station, police reportedly threatened them instead of offering protection.
Officers allegedly questioned the legitimacy of their conversion as members of a tribal community and warned that their identification documents and government ration supplies could be revoked. On Jan. 14, police summoned the local pastor, dismissed his ministry as “superstition” and barred him from visiting Christian families in the village.
As of late January, the affected families remained without shelter in harsh winter conditions. Christian Solidarity Worldwide said the village’s remote location has made outside assistance difficult. The families have said they plan to petition the District Collector for intervention.
CSW President Mervyn Thomas accused local authorities of failing to protect the families and called for immediate action to ensure their safety, compensate them for their losses and hold the perpetrators accountable.
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How We Respond as Christians
This assault is part of a broader surge in violence against Christians in India. The United Christian Forum recorded 834 attacks in 2024, following 734 in 2023 and 601 in 2022. More than 900 attacks were reported between January and May 2025 alone.
As Christians, we are not surprised by persecution, even as it deeply grieves us. Jesus warned us that following Him would bring opposition, saying, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). He also reminded us to take courage, assuring us that we are not forgotten or abandoned (Matthew 5:10–12).
Scripture teaches us that persecution for our faith is not a sign of God’s absence, but often a mark of faithfulness (2 Tim. 3:12). We are encouraged to endure trials with perseverance, trusting that God is at work even in suffering (James 1:2–4), and that He is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:19).
When we read stories like this, we are called to respond as the body of Christ. We pray for our brothers and sisters who have lost their homes (Heb. 13:3). We intercede for their protection and provision. We resist fear, remembering that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound judgment (2 Tim. 1:7).
Christian leaders in India have warned that fear of retaliation keeps many victims from reporting attacks, yet we are reminded that the Church has always grown strongest under pressure (Acts 8:1–4). Persecution does not defeat the Church; it refines it (1 Peter 4:12–14).
As we reflect on the suffering of believers in places like Midapalli village, we are called to stand together, encourage one another and remain faithful. Though the cost of discipleship is real (Luke 9:23), so is the promise that God sees, strengthens and will ultimately vindicate His people (Rom. 8:18).
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
