MY ACCOUNT
Suman and her brother, Bima—both Christians in India—converted from Hinduism after they attended church and experienced a miraculous healing. But once they proclaimed Jesus as Lord and Savior, they encountered severe persecution from their Hindu relatives. Below, we’ll examine how familial persecution in India often has devastating consequences for believers.
When faith becomes a crime: The cost of India’s Hindu extremism
The midday sun beats down on the sprawling village in India, its rays peeking around the corners of weathered buildings. I wait in a large shelter with an opening on both sides and dirt floors under my feet.
The air is thick with the lingering scent of curry from the morning’s breakfast. When Suman enters—her small frame standing at barely five feet tall—there’s a flicker of hesitation, quickly replaced by a resolute calm. We sit together in a quiet corner, and with her soft yet steady voice, she begins to share her story.
As new Christians in India, Suman and Bima witness a miraculous healing
“We had a lot of problems in our family,” Suman says, her fingers intertwining in her lap. Her path to the Christian faith began not with a spiritual epiphany but with her brother’s illness—a tangible, pressing need that defied conventional solutions. After trying everything within their Hindu community, it was her sister named Bindu who first suggested they turn to Jesus … a proposition that, in their predominantly Hindu village, carried the weight of potential attacks, beatings and ostracism.
“As soon as we went to the church and gave it to the Lord, it didn’t even take a week,” Suman recalls, her eyes brightening. “Everything was fine in one or two days.” God miraculously healed her brother, and while this transformation brought resilience to their new faith, it also delivered more risk in their predominantly-Hindu village.
The risks of conversion for Christians in India who leave Hinduism
After that moment, Suman’s immediate family gave their lives to Christ, but soon, the Hindu village that had been her whole world turned against her. Even her husband’s family, once a source of support, became a wellspring of rejection.
In the face of familial persecution, Suman is unwavering in her faith. “No matter how many troubles I face, I found life in Jesus,” she says, her voice gaining strength. “My life has changed. I wouldn’t think of turning back.” Her courage is palpable, challenging not just her persecutors but anyone who has ever stood at the crossroads of comfort and conviction.
A faith-based attack with devastating consequences
However, Suman’s story begins to take a devastating turn as she recounts the terrifying events of June 24, 2024. It was on that day that Hindu extremists from her extended family attacked. Suman wasn’t present in the fields that day, but the memory of that phone call from her brother, Bima, still haunts her. “Suman, something terrible has happened,” Bima said, his voice crackling over the line. “Our sister has been beaten up and killed.”
Later, Suman found out that it was her Hindu uncle and cousins who hid near the fields, waiting to attack her Christian family members. Most of her family escaped, but her sister Bindu fell, and her uncle caught her and killed her—as a message to the family that their Christian faith was no longer welcome in the predominantly-Hindu village. That they were no longer welcome on the land either.
Remembering those martyred for their faith
Later, we sat down with Bima, Suman and Bindu’s brother, who was present during the attack and provided a harrowing firsthand account. “We were sowing rice in the farms,” he recalls, his voice trembling slightly. “My uncle and cousins came out and said that they would kill us. I ran away from there. My mother ran away from there. Bindu and my wife were running away from there, but Bindu fell. They captured Bindu, and they killed her.”
As Bima recounts these painful memories, his love and admiration for his sister Bindu shine through. “She was a teacher,” he says, pride in his voice. “She used to go to school and teach the village kids to pray to God.” Bindu worked at a childcare center, where she taught and shared her faith. “She was taking care of all our family,” Bima adds. “She was never afraid of the village people; she always came in front and talked to people.” Bima’s voice softens as he recalls his sister’s influence on others. “When she shared the Word of God with others, so many people came to Christ through her life.”
Suman and Bima find strength amid adversity through their Christian faith
Suman’s reaction reveals the complex interplay of shock, grief, and helplessness. “I couldn’t cry,” she remembers, her gaze distant. “I felt terrible. And I thought, ‘What should I do now?’ I can’t do anything.” The paralysis of trauma was evident. Her sister was gone.
After that day, the rest of the family left their home, fearing for their lives. Suman, Bima and their remaining Christian family members are now displaced from their home.
The loss of a place to call home, their community, and loved ones would be enough to shake anyone’s faith. Yet, when asked what gives her strength, Suman quotes Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it shall be given to you.”
“I have faith. Even then, I don’t lose my courage,” Suman shares. Because of their faith, they have lost their home, their land and their possessions, but Suman and her family are still trusting God to provide for them—remembering his power to do the miraculous. “We are never hungry. God will open the way for us from somewhere,” she shares.
Bima echoes this unwavering faith. When asked if these trials have weakened his belief, he responds firmly, “It has increased. My faith is strong.” He draws strength from a biblical promise in Matthew 10:17-22: “In the Bible, it says that they will take you to prison … and they will kill you, but your faith will save you.”
Suman finds hope for the future
Before we part, I ask Suman how she wants Christians in the West to pray for her. Her requests are simple yet profound: “Pray that we will be able to return home. Pray for the things in my village to calm down. And pray that we would live in harmony.” In these words lies a vision of reconciliation that extends far beyond her circumstances, touching on our collective longing for peace between Hindus and Christians across India.
As I watch Suman walk away, her small frame receding into the vastness of the village, I’m reminded of her words, “My life has changed. I wouldn’t think of turning back.” Those words represent the power of simple faith to overcome—even in the face of incredible loss.
Bima’s parting words resonate with the same unwavering faith: “If I live, I live for God. If I die, I die for God.”
A prayer for persecuted Christians in India
We invite our readers to say a prayer for Suman, Bima, and other believers in India who are facing familial persecution and attacks rooted in Hindu nationalism.
God, thank You for the incredible faith of Suman and Bima. Comfort them, oh Lord, as they grieve the untimely death of their martyred sister, Bindu. And provide for their every need during their displacement. In due time, we pray that You will answer Suman’s prayer—that she may return home to peace, tranquility, and restoration with her relatives. Amen.
About the author
Abigail Hart is a director of communications at Global Christian Relief. She strives to build awareness regarding Christian persecution by sharing the harrowing stories of believers who are suffering for their faith. She invites you to read the latest stories of Christian persecution and join the cause.
Send emergency aid to Christians in India and beyond
Indian believers are under attack because of their faith. Your compassionate gift to Global Christian Relief can strengthen and sustain Christians in India, just like Suman and her brother, Bima. Meet the needs of displaced Christ followers today, supplying them with critical essentials like food, clean water, shelter, mattresses, blankets, medicine, hygiene products, persecution training and more. Please give now.
