Kochi blasts: who are Jehovah's Witnesses & what is their presence in India

With a man named Dominic Martin claiming the responsibility for blasts in Kochi, the spotlight has shifted to Christian group Jehovah's Witnesses.

Established in the US in the 19th Century, Jehovah's Witnesses rejects the popular Christian belief in the Trinity, which is the doctrine that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are all aspects of one God.

Jehovah's Witnesses has approximately 8.5 million members around the globe, and is known for their door-to-door evangelism.

According to the group, they have about 56,747 Ministers in India who teach the Bible and at present has 947 congregations in India.

Periodically, Jehovah's Witnesses organise conventions and assemblies in India and these events serve as a way for members to come together for religious instruction and fellowship.

In India, the Christan faction also operates a comprehensive educational program, including Bible studies and other religious educational materials.