Tactics story
Defending rights in Chhattisgarh, India

Tactic: Build networks

After taking part in a training on Freedom of Religion or Belief, around 25 people in Chhattisgarh state, India, formed a group that meets regularly and works to protect freedom of religion or belief for Christian communities in the state.

Religious minorities commonly experience social ostracisation in rural parts of India. In Chhattisgarh, one convert to Christianity faced difficulties when members of his village met to discuss denying him basic amenities such as food and water, as a way of forcing him to leave the village. On hearing about this, the group approached the local villagers and talked about the man’s constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, pointing out that it was illegal to target individuals because of their faith. They also called the police as a safeguard, to inform them about developments. In the end, the villagers decided not to go ahead with their plans.

Source: Stefanus Alliance International, www.stefanusalliansen.no