Christian killed, believers threatened in Kandhamal

25 February 2009 0 minutes read

Hrudayananda Nayak (40) was found dead in the village of Rudangia, Kandhamal district, Orissa state on February 19. The day before, Nayak was abducted by a group of Hindu militants while on his way home from a nearby town. Nayak is the third Christian known to be murdered in the area since late October.

Christians in Kandhamal displaced by anti-Christian violence (click here for more) remain fearful to return home to their villages. According to a February 18 report from Compass Direct, 18 families in Bareka village were recently forced to undergo Hindu rituals and sign documents that stated they had converted to Hinduism of their own will. Approximately 400 Christian families from Piangia Budaripura village remain in a relief camp because militants have stated they can only return if they convert to Hinduism. In Betticola village, the construction of a Hindu temple on the site of a destroyed church building (click here for more details) has been stopped by officials. However, according to a February 25 report from AsiaNews, they are also refusing permission to rebuild the church building until the deed of ownership is presented.

Pray for the Nayak family as they mourn. Pray for daily protection and strength for Christians in Kandhamal (Hebrews 12:2-3).

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.

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.