A Christian group has appealed to a government agency to extend protection for Christians and their institutions across India, after reports of continued persecution in some parts of the country.

The Global Council of Indian Christians filed the appeal on Nov. 14 with India’s National Commission of Minorities and Ministry of Home Affairs saying Christians face “persecution” because of their faith, especially in Karnataka state, reported the Indian Catholic News Service.

Since the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) came into government in Karnataka in February, “there have been sporadic but growing numbers of incidents against Christians in the state,” a press release from the group said.

Hindu radicals, many BJP supporters, are "unleashing terror” in Karnataka by targeting Christians, churches and Christian institutions, the release alleged. These actions are creating an environment that could “facilitate operations of international terrorists in southern states of India,” it added.

The press release described several cases of violence in which pastors and their relatives were attacked and intimidated in the past months by suspected Hindu radicals, reported ICNS.

The council requested prayers for peace and “for good sense and the rule of law to prevail in the situation.”