Ayatu Ram Podiyami, a believer who lives in Gufanpal, Chhattisgarh, came to faith in Christ alongside his family in 2020. On February 6th, an opposing group of about 20 people from the village approached the Christian man and asked him if he would convert back to Hinduism. After Ayatu refused to renounce his Christian faith, a larger mob began to gather outside his house, further pressuring him to return to the Hindu religion. Fearing for his safety, the harassed believer fled into the jungle.
When Ayatu returned home a few hours later, his family told him that they had been given an ultimatum: either convert to Hinduism by February 12th or face the consequences. Ayatu called the police but was informed that they could do nothing. After filing a police report, village leaders were summoned to the police station on February 9th. Unfortunately, all efforts to diffuse the volatile situation failed.
On the morning of February 12th, a community leader named Ram Singh phoned Ayatu and told him that the villagers were coming to talk to him. Soon afterwards, three people arrived at Ayatu's house and asked if he was ready to renounce his faith. When the Christian once again refused to return to Hinduism, the villagers began beating him with rods. After Ayatu had been pulled away from the attackers by his mother and brother, the assailants then turned against his father, Mahngu Ram Podiyami.
Ayatu was forced to flee once more and, to his dismay, he found his father unconscious on his return. His brother had also been beaten during the attack. All three believers were admitted to the hospital, with Mahngu suffering life-threatening injuries. At last report, the three injured family members are still recovering from the ordeal.
Following the attack, a police report was filed. However, the authorities reportedly fabricated several details surrounding the case, claiming the incident was a "family feud" and that the victims received their injuries by accident. To review other reports on the persecution of Christians in India, go to our country report.
Pray that Ayatu and his family will fully heal from the injuries and trauma they experienced due to the attack. In the face of intense pressure from the opposing members of their community, ask God to divinely protect this targeted family and continue to sustain them with His strength, courage and peace. May these persecuted believers be so filled with God's Spirit that they will respond to the hostility of villagers with the love of Christ in both 'word and deed' – encouraging community members to likewise submit their lives to Him. At the same time, may the Lord's righteousness be upheld throughout India, so that the country's governing authorities would take incidents of persecution seriously and strive to hold accountable all those who wrongfully harm or harass Christians because of their faith.
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