New Film Calls Missionary's Murderer a Hero

14 January 2004 0 minutes read

In 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were burned to death while they slept. In September 2003, thirteen people were convicted of the murder, including a prominent militant Hindu leader, Dara Singh (for more information, see https://www.vomcanada.com/in-2003-09-17.htm).

In October 2003, a film on the work of Staines was announced, with filming to begin in February 2004. A week later, another movie was announced, to be produced by the militant Hindu group Bajrang Dal, entitled "Dara: The Hero." While acknowledging that the actions of Dara Singh were criminal, a spokesman for Bajrang Dal, Subash Chouhan, said that Staines as a villain and the actions of Dara Singh were commendable as they relate to religious conversions. Earlier, a BJP legislator Bidhubhusan Praharaj had openly defended Dara, saying, "he is an ideological person, not a criminal. He is a protector of the Hindu community."

An appeal of Dara's death sentence is presently pending in the Orissa High Court.

India

India Information

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC assists persecuted Christians with legal support and rehabilitation assistance, and cares for children of martyrs by providing them with a safe place to be nurtured physical and spiritually. VOMC also partners to equip Christians in India with Biblical training and works to strengthen and support marginalized and persecuted Christian women. Additionally, VOMC helps to provide medical assistance to believers who have faced injuries after being attacked.”

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defense, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry, Medical Fund
Country Information
Population
1,399,179,585 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), other (3)

Religion (%)
Hinduism (79.8), Muslim (14.2), Christianity (2.3), Sikh (1.7), other (2)

Leader
President Droupadi Murmu (2022)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Based on English common law; separate personal law codes apply to Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for India
Despite the intimidation and violence that have taken place in many of India's states, may Christians wisely yet unashamedly preach the Gospel. Pray that indigenous Christians and foreign missionaries will minister in ways that do not hint at fraudulent conversions, unmasking the intentions behind the anti-conversion legislation. Intercede for India's leaders, that they may reign with justice and righteousness.