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India

  • Hostility for believers increasing

    Three vicious attacks against Christians in India in recent months reflect a growing anti-Christian sentiment.

    A pastor and his children were attacked last February in Kerala state. Pastor Titus Ignatius Kapan and his family were eating dinner in the home of a convert to Christianity from Hinduism when Hindu extremists stormed in. They abused the pastor and his children and then dropped large boulders on the pastor's car.

    Days earlier, Hindu extremists disrupted a prayer service in Pandhi village in Chhattisgarh state. For two days the attackers threatened and assaulted attendees with their fists and leather belts. They also tore down the believers' tent.

    Finally, a group of Christians in Haibasa district in Jharkhand state were forced to leave their village after a series of attacks by local villagers. The Christians took refuge at a local church but at last report are living without necessities. In the last of the attacks, the violent mob shut down all exit points to the village before assaulting Christians with iron rods, axes, arrows and other sharp weapons, severely beating four Christians. Other believers, including children, were locked in a room where the assailants attempted to burn them alive. Thankfully police arrived before they could carry out the murders.

    Please pray that Christians in India will find strength in Christ to bear the persecution and to continue to proclaim the Kingdom. Please pray that God will soften the hearts of the persecutors and draw them to repentance. Pray that our suffering brothers and sisters in India will trust God to enable them to proclaim the gospel even while suffering (2 Timothy 4:16-18).

    For more on persecution in India, go to the India Country Report.
  • Karnataka most dangerous state for Christians

    Christmas and New Year's holidays in the south Indian state of Karnataka brought a dramatic increase in attacks on believers, and the state was identified as the most unsafe place for Christians for the third consecutive year.

    There were 49 cases of violence and hostility against Christians in the state last year, according to the Evangelical Fellowship of India's annual report. The Global Council of Indian Christians reported there were at least six anti-Christian attacks between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day alone. Services and prayer meetings were disrupted and pastors and worshippers were harassed and physically abused by groups of suspected Hindu extremists. In one case on Christmas Day, about 20 people beat Christians, including women and children, with stones and wooden clubs as the believers celebrated at a house a few miles from the city of Mangalore. Injuries in the attacks included fractures, chest injuries and head trauma. Christians account for at least 2.3 percent of India's population, which is more than 1 billion.

    Please pray that eruptions of violence will cease and the storm of hostility will be stilled in this troubled state. Please pray for the physical and emotional healing of those who have been attacked and harmed. Please pray that Christians in Karnataka will be Christ's light and will overcome the spiritual darkness that is consuming this region.

    For more information on India's suffering believers, please visit the India Country Report.
  • Update: Falsely imprisoned pastor released

    Pastor Khanna was arrested for alleged forced
    conversion in Kashmir Valley.
    Photo: Global Council of Indian Christians

    Reverend C.M. Khanna, who was arrested and imprisoned on false charges of forced conversion in the Kashmir Valley in India in October, was granted bail by the Srinagar court and has been released from jail.

    When Rev. Khanna could not help a Muslim cleric, the Grand Mufti, obtain admission for a student into one of the schools run by the Church of North India (CNI), it is believed the Grand Mufti retaliated by summoning the Christian to appear before the Sharia court on false charges of forced conversion based on video evidence of a routine baptism ceremony in his church. The seven newly baptized Christians had also previously been detained and beaten (for more, click here). Rev. Khanna appeared before the Sharia court in the interests of communal harmony in the Kashmir Valley, even though he was not legally bound in any way to appear before a Muslim court in a secular country like India. The arrest of Rev. Khanna has caused great fear among believers, however, say local sources.

    Please pray that Reverend Khanna's courage and faith during his ordeal will be a testimony to others. Pray that efforts to win more souls for Christ will be blessed. Pray that God will soften the hearts of those opposed to the gospel in Kashmir Valley.

    For more information on India's suffering believers, please visit the India Country Report.
  • Police detain, beat converts from Islam

    Seven newly baptized Christians were detained and beaten by police in India's Kashmir Valley, and arrests are expected for Christian leaders considered responsible for converting the former Muslims.

    Police identified the converts and pastors from a video recording of the baptism obtained by Kashmir's grand mufti (the highest official of religious law), Bashir-ud-din Ahmad. The video was later posted on YouTube.

    Ahmad alleged that Pastor Chander Mani Khanna of All Saints Church, whose church is affiliated with the Church of North India (CNI) denomination, was converting young Muslims by offering money. The mufti told media that the video is definitive evidence that Muslims were being "lured" to Christianity, although it only shows the baptism ceremony. The pastor said the Muslim youths had been coming to the church on their own initiative and wanted to take part in communion. Pastor Chander told them they had to follow a procedure if they wanted to join in the sacrament, and they expressed desire to be baptized.

    Please pray that Pastor Chander will not be charged and that the young converts will remain steadfast in their faith. Pray that the gospel will spread throughout the region despite opposition and oppression.

    For more information on India's suffering believers, please visit the India Country Report.
  • Students at orphanage forced to pay idol worship fee

    Christian orphans in West Bengal, India, have been forced to contribute funds for idol worship in order to gain admission to a high school. Rev. Dr. Subimal Dutta, the director general of Ambassadors Service Society which operates the Gilgal Children's Home, has faced threats for opposing the collection of money for idol worship at government schools or government-aided schools. In early September, the extremists stormed into the Society compound and warned Dutta to stop all Christian activities within seven days or that they would forcibly shut down the mission. They also sternly warned him that his life would be in danger if he involved police or any administrative officials.

    At a meeting on September 23 with the village head, the local political party, and the Ambassadors Service Society, an agreement was reached for re-opening the Society. However, the agreement required all students at the government high school to pay the idol worship fee without complaint.

    Please pray that the Lord will protect Dutta and the children he is responsible for. Pray that they will not be afraid to continue to meet together to worship Him. Pray the Lord will grant wisdom to Dutta in this difficult situation. Pray that those who oppose Christians would repent and know Christ.

    For more information on India's suffering believers, please visit the India Country Report.
  • Pastor's father beaten unconscious

    Hindu extremists in Pratapgarh, Rajasthan State have threatened to kill a pastor after beating his family and violating an agreement to stop attacking them. Pastor Shantilal Ninama of Believers Church said that Hindu extremists beat his 65-year-old father until he fell unconscious in one of the attacks last month. After agreeing to do no further harm to Pastor Ninama and his family in exchange for him dropping police charges he'd filed over a previous attack, the Hindu extremists stormed into his home on the evening of June 8 and began beating his father, sister, wife and three children. As the pastor sought police help, his father fell unconscious and his wife and two of his children ran out into the darkness. Another daughter hid beneath a bed, and his sister escaped and hid in a valley.

    The Rev. Prabhatkar Malladi, secretary of the Udaipur Diocese in Rajasthan, shared that the extremists were threatening to kill the pastor. "The villagers are not allowing any Christian leaders to enter into the village to meet Pastor Ninama, but we are taking necessary steps to help the pastor, and one advocate is now taking up the case," he said.

    Pray for the Lord's protection upon Pastor Shantilal, his family and all Christians in the area. Pray his father will make a full recovery. Pray the Lord will minister to the perpetrators and those in authority involved in the case, using this incident as a witness for the gospel.

    Learn more about the tribulations that befall Christians in India at theIndia Country Report.
  • Christians attacked and threatened in Jharkhand state

    Several Christians came under attack in Jharkhand state, India, in recent weeks. On May 28, Hindu militants beat the members of five Christian families in Palamu district. A week prior, a group of Hindu militants threatened to beat Pastor Sanjay Choudary of the Gospel Echoing Missionary Society if he did not stop leading worship meetings. He and his congregation then filed a complaint, leading the police to visit with them on May 28. Immediately after the police left, the enraged militants appeared and started beating people. One woman suffered internal injuries, and another believer was still missing at last report. The Christians have reportedly fled their homes. In a similar incident, Hindu militants in Karivadhi village are threatening to severely beat three families of new Christian converts if they do not return to Hinduism. These Christians have also fled the area and are now in hiding.

    Pray these Christians will look to the God of truth as their righteous refuge and tower of strength (Psalm 31:1-5). Pray they will be living witnesses to the love and hope of Christ, even to their persecutors. Ask God to work in the hearts of those who attack Christians in India, leading them to the path of repentance and peace.

    For more on the trials facing Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.
  • Christian leader attacked by militants


    Pastor Ramesh Devda
    (Photo: Compass Direct)

    Hindu militants recently beat Ramesh Devda, 30, a pastor and evangelist, in Madhya Pradesh state, India. On April 4, Pastor Ramesh was travelling by motorbike with his two sons from Chikklia to Raseda when three militants on motorbikes suddenly blocked his way. The militants, drunk and armed with large bamboo sticks and clubs, beat the pastor in front of 10-year-old Elias and 8-year-old Shimon. They threatened to kill Pastor Ramesh and warned him not to come to the area again. They delivered brutal blows all over his body, including his head. The terrified cries of the young boys alerted people passing by to the situation. When others arrived on scene, the attackers fled. At last report, Pastor Ramesh was in the hospital receiving care for severe injuries, including a fractured skull. He was thankful that his sons were spared from beating, though his older son sustained a leg injury during the attack.

    Pastor Ramesh, who serves with the Christian Reformed Fellowship of India in three villages, suspects his attackers were Hindu militants angered by his Sunday worship services. Although he believes the attack was pre-planned, he does not want to report it to the police, as he fears retaliation.

    Ask God to heal Pastor Ramesh. Pray a spirit of trust in the Lord will guard his heart and mind against fear. Pray for guidance and safety for his wife and children, who are also active in Christian ministry. Pray Christians in India will look to the God of truth as their righteous refuge and tower of strength (Psalm 31:1-5).

    You can learn more about Christians in India serving as cross-bearing disciples at theIndia Country Report.
  • Christians beaten and arrested

    Two Christian meetings were attacked by Hindu militants in India in recent weeks. On April 9, a mob of more than 100 attacked an open-air Christian worship meeting in Bhajanpura, East Delhi. The Christians had received permission from government officials to conduct the meeting, and five police officers were present. Shortly after the meeting began, militants armed with clubs and stones arrived on scene. They beat several Christians, including the pastor. The five policemen were also severely beaten. Two believers sustained head injuries. The militants destroyed furniture, a sound system, a generator and a Christian's vehicle. The attack lasted for about an hour before police reinforcements arrived and the attackers fled. At last report, two of the assailants had been arrested.

    On April 10, a pastor and other members of the New India Church in Mysore, Karnataka were attacked. Pastor Vinod Chacko was leading a prayer service when approximately 25 militants arrived on scene, accusing the believers of forcible conversion. They detained the worshippers inside the church building. The believers were asked to provide personal information and questioned about being lured to attend the service by the offer of money or other means. Police later charged Pastor Vinod, his wife, Asha, and three other Christians with "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings."

    Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks. Pray authorities will act justly and with integrity in reaction to these incidents. Pray Christians in India will continue to give themselves fully to the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Pray for an end to violence against followers of Christ in India.

    To learn more about the ongoing opposition of believers in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
  • 18 Christians arrested

    Photo from GCIC

    Eighteen Christians, including two pastors, were arrested on March 28 for converting to Christianity without official permit in Orissa's Mayurbhanj district. The arrests came after a police complaint was filed against the two pastors and 16 newly converted Christians. The Christians were brought before the SDJM Court at Baripada and were released on bail on March 30 and 31, charged under the "Orissa Freedom of Religion Act," which bans any conversion lacking a permit issued by authorities. Sajan K. George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, called on Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to withdraw the accusations and put a stop to anti-Christian violence in the state.

    Pray all charges will be dropped and that freedom of religion will truly be experienced by the people of Orissa. Ask the Lord to minister to the new converts and deepen their faith to help them overcome this opposition. Pray the Lord will continue to build His Church. Pray for all those who would oppose Him in India.

    For more information about the persecuted Church in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

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