persecution
Chhattisgarh High Court upholds mandatory Hindu prayer in schools
By Brennan Berryhill at Mission Network News
· July 17, 2026
· 3 min read
India (MNN) — A petition to prevent mandatory Hindu prayers at school was recently struck down by the high court of Chhattisgarh, India. On June 12, the Chhattisgarh state government ordered that schools must institute prayer three times during the school day. The morning assembly will consist of pa
Key takeaway On June 12, the Chhattisgarh state government ordered that schools must institute prayer three times during the school day.
Why this matters
The Chhattisgarh High Court's ruling has significant implications for religious freedom in India, particularly for minority groups. By allowing mandatory Hindu prayers in schools, the court has set a precedent that may be used to justify further erosion of secular principles. The fact that the court deemed the petition premature, citing a lack of cases where students were forced to recite prayers against their wishes, does not address the potential for coercion and social pressure that students may face in a school setting. This decision may embolden Hindu nationalist groups, such as the BJP, to promote their ideology in educational institutions, potentially leading to increased persecution of minority faiths. The legal battle is likely to continue, with further petitions and challenges to the law expected. The international community will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and whether India will uphold its constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.
About this story
Original reporting by Mission Network News . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: persecution ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: Mission Network News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? India (MNN) — A petition to prevent mandatory Hindu prayers at school was recently struck down by the high court of Chhattisgarh, India. On June 12, the Chhattisgarh state government ordered that schools must institute prayer three times during the school day. The morning assembly will consist of pa
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by Mission Network News and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Brennan Berryhill at Mission Network News. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more persecution coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .