Source: International Christian Concern, August 13, 2026
A Hindu religious leader issued a definitive, public call to make a central Indian state [of Odisha] “church-free.” This marks a chilling escalation in the fusion of state authority and radical ideological movements.
The presence of Odisha’s chief minister and the declaration made against Christians alongside RSS functionaries provides a veneer of state-sanctioned legitimacy to a movement that openly targets religious minorities. This collective presence signals that the “church-free” mandate is no longer a peripheral demand.
This is seen as not merely a rhetorical flourish but as a calculated effort to dismantle the operational freedom of Christian institutions by framing their existence as an existential threat to the state.
During the function, several appeals and strategies were announced for the Hindu community of Odisha.
In the “One Rupee and One Hour” Appeal, a mechanism was laid for total social mobilization designed to turn every citizen into a micro-stakeholder in the anti-conversion movement, funding and dedicating time to “Sanatan activities.” Sanatan is a term used to refer to Hinduism.
Christian leaders living in Kandhamal district have taken note of this development and have planned to launch protest movements across the province to voice their anger against this religious radicalism.
Read the full story as well as another from ICC, Concern Grows as Hindu Leaders Call for Nepal to Be Declared a Hindu Nation (again).
In July, International Christian Concern released the 2026 Global Persecution Index, a 124-page report which includes analysis of current trends and profiles of India, Nepal, and 20 other countries.