India Lawmaker Offers Reward for Attacking Christians

7/31/2025  (Morning Star News)

India’s Catholic bishops this week strongly condemned law enforcement for failing to prosecute a state legislator who publicly offered up to $12,663 for violent attacks on Christian leaders. Gopichand Padalkar, a member of the Maharashtra State Assembly said, “We should keep prizes for those who bash up missionaries coming to convert people.” Pakalkar offered various amounts of payment for attacks on Christians and the largest amount for attacks against Christian leaders. The speech violated the law, which penalizes acts that promote enmity between different groups and threaten the unity and integrity of the nation, but the police have done nothing about his illegal offer, despite peaceful peaceful protests by thousands of concerned citizens. Padalkar said that the people needed to crush Christians and Muslims, whom he referred to as pythons and green snakes like construction machinery crushes snakes. He also called for the demolition of unauthorized prayer houses and the firing of government workers who are not Hindus. Political leaders from leading opposition parties joined in the protests. Facing mounting criticism, the BJP attempted to distance itself from Padalkar’s statements, but the state assembly has taken no action against Padalkar.

Please pray…

• Pray that the ruling party will not only condemn Padalkar but will force the state assembly to remove Padalkar from his government position.

• Pray that no one will follow through on his words and attack Christians and churches.

• Pray that the Lord will use the public outcry against Padalkar and the state assembly to ultimately improve the public’s view of Christians and Christianity in India.