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India

  • Christians Arrested
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    On the morning of October 26, police arrested a recent convert to Christianity in the district of Mayapuri, Madhya Pradesh on charges of "insulting religious beliefs," according to an October 26 report from Compass Direct. After arresting the Christian, Ramesh Thakur (37), police pressured him to testify that his pastor, Jagdish Bharti, had coerced him into converting. Police also inquired, in an intimidating manner, whether Thakur had been given his home for converting. The church has been holding Sunday morning prayer meetings at Thakur's home.

    Thakur had come to faith in Christ six months ago and has since been worshipping with the Bethel Fellowship Church. Bharti and fifteen others had been arrested on the same charges in June 2006.

    On October 27, police arrested a Christian for "causing communal disharmony" after a group of Hindu militants harassed him for selling literature at a Christian evangelistic event near Udayagiri, Orissa, according to an October 31 report from Compass Direct. Amit Kumar Raul was operating a book stall at the event when he was approached by members of the militant group, Hindu Jagaran Samukhya. When they noticed that he was selling a book entitled "Oh, You Hindu, Awake," they began to hurl insults at him and beat him. They then had him arrested by police. At last report, Raul remained in custody after a judge rejected his request for bail. Police told Compass that Raul was arrested to "prevent communal violence."

    Indian converts to Christianity have been facing increasing pressure from militant Hindu groups throughout India. In the state of Andhra Pradesh, members of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatia Janata Party have been calling for the arrest and deportation of missionaries from Canada and the United States. According to an AsiaNews report on October 30, the vice-president of the BJP recently claimed, "Teams of Christian missionaries have fanned out in various tribal areas of Nalgonda district and are forcibly converting tribals to Christianity." He accused the missionaries of giving financial inducements to those willing to convert. He also called on individual Hindus to intervene, since the military is not willing to take action.

    Pray that Thakur will follow in the example of faithfulness that has been passed down to him by Pastor Bharti (1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16). Pray that all charges will be dropped against Thakur, Bharti and Raul. Pray that oppressed believers throughout India will put their hope in the Lord as the One Who upholds their cause (Psalm 146).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • Government To Take Over Christian Health Centre

    The Chhattisgarh state government is planning to take over control of a Christan-run health centre following allegations of forcible conversions in the facility.  According to an October 19 report from Compass Direct, authorities ordered the takeover of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) facility in the village of Lundra on October 10, firing seventeen of the employees. According to one of the dismissed workers, Sister Emilina Xess, the government was jealous of the reputation that ICDS had in the community. An independent enquiry board was formed after allegations began in September 2005. In its May 2006 report, the board reported that it had been unable to find any cases of conversions connected to the facility. The facility in Lundra has been managed by the Raigarh-Ambikapur Health Association (RAHA), a Catholic organization, since 1995.

    Pray that the administration of the health centre will be returned to the RAHA. Pray that the employees who have been fired will be allowed to return to work. Ask God to work in the hearts of government leaders throughout India to allow religious organizations to carry on their work unhindered.

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India,click here. A video report on some of the ways VOMC is assisting Indian victims of persecution is available on the multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.
  • Eight Christians Arrested
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    Eight workers at a home for the destitute in the Indian state of Karnataka have been arrested on false charges of wrongful confinement and abduction, according to an October 17 report from Compass Direct. The workers at the Lourd Matha Seva Ashram home in the village of Thyagarathi were arrested after a crowd of five hundred villagers stormed the facility because of false television news reports.

    According to police sub-inspector P.B. Hanummanthappa, a 75-year-old resident of the home had reported to police that residents (many of whom are mentally handicapped) were being confined, forced to work too hard and given strong medication. There had been reports that the home was involved in trafficking human organs, but police have dismissed any such allegations. They do say, however, that the home has not complied with some administrative requirements.

    Ask God to deliver these workers and bring about justice in their case (Psalm 140). Ask God to give them wisdom to know how to answer their accusers (Matthew 10:19). Pray that the ministry of the home would carry on uninterrupted.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here. A new video report by Crossroads Communications about some of the ways that VOMC is assisting persecuted Christians in India is available on https://www.vomcanada.com/.
  • Continuing Attacks Against Christians

    Incidents of violence against Christians in India continue to pour in, as Hindus opposed to the spread of the Gospel use anti-conversion legislation to oppress the followers of Christ.

    In the district of Mahaboobnagar, Andhra Pradesh, militant Hindus have threatened to kill Christians if they continue to hold prayer meetings, according to an October 9 report from Compass Direct. On September 22, approximately forty people surrounded three members of the Good Shepherd Community Church in the village of Nandiwaddeman while members of the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) beat them. When the church's pastor, Nagaiah, went to the village head, Usha Anna, to report the incident, Anna refused to listen to him and asked him to return the next day. When Nagaiah returned, he was accused of forcibly converting villagers. Anna warned the Christians to stop all prayer meetings in the village.

    According to an October 6 report from Compass Direct, a Christian youth from the Bhadrak district of Orissa was tortured, tonsured (shaved) and abducted from his home on October 4. Dr. Sajan K. George from the Global Council of Indian Christians reports that the situation in the village, where two platoons of policemen have reportedly been deployed, is "very tense" following the abduction and torture. At last report, Ranjan Dangua was still missing.

    False reports on the conversion of three hundred villagers to Christianity in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh have triggered violence in the region. The incident began after a meeting was held at the home of Sanjay Singh on October 3, according to the Evangelical Fellowship of India. Singh's neighbour reported the meeting to police. Rumours that followed were spread by the local press and militant Hindus, leading to violence.

    In the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh, hundreds of Hindu militants attacked a facility providing shelter for widows and schooling for poor children, according to AsiaNews. The facility is run by an American couple, James and Monica, who use the proceeds from a restaurant to assist the poor in the area. Some of the locals employed by the couple had been exploiting them but were discovered and dismissed from their jobs. Angered, they accused the couple of proselytism. After authorities dismissed the allegations, a mob raided the facility on October 8, taking anything of value they could find. The lawyer for the American couple claims that officials are reluctant to pursue the attackers and appear to be in collusion with them. 

    Pray that the believers who have been attacked and threatened will determine to obey God regardless of what man says (Acts 5:29). Pray that each of these believers will be assured that, as they have suffered with Christ, so they will be glorified with Him (Romans 8:15-17). Pray that they will find comfort in the fact that the Heavenly Father defends the oppressed (Psalm 10:17-18).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here. A new video report by Crossroads Communications about some of the ways that VOMC is assisting persecuted Christians in India is available on https://www.vomcanada.com/.
  • Evangelists Released on Bail

    On September 27, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the September 22 arrest of two believers, Lakhan Pawar and Shailendra Pawar, on charges of insulting Hinduism (for more information, click here). The Evangelical Fellowship of India has since reported that the two were released on bail on September 25. However, the police report also names two others, Dr. Victor Choudhary and his daughter Manjula, as being involved in "conversion work." Continue to pray for the safety of these four believers.
  • Christian Missionary Brutally Beaten by Hindu Militants

    A Christian missionary, Chin Min Thang, was brutally beaten by Hindu militants in Uttar Pradesh on September 24, according to an October 2 report from Asia News. Chin's attackers accused him of proselytizing members of the Tharu Tribe, one of the poorest tribes in India. Chin is a teacher of Tharu children in Najota Village.

    Thirty-five Hindu militants forcibly entered Chin's home and dragged him outside in broad daylight. While some brutally beat him, others ransacked his possessions.

    When other villagers realized that Chin was under attack, they promptly came to his defense. They even refused to leave him after the attackers fired threatening shots into the air. Thang Boi, a Christian teacher who works with Chin, said: "Had [the villagers] not intervened, the mob would have lynched him." As the Hindu militants left, they warned Chin: "If you do not quit the village and stop your conversion work, we will kill you!"

    On September 27, Boi and Chin filed a report at the local police station. However, the police officers have yet to start their inquiries. Village residents claim that local police are in collusion with Hindu fanatics.

    For five years, Boi and Chin have been helping the Tharu children in Najota village attain high school diplomas and promoting literacy throughout the area. Jagat Rana, the leader of the Tharu tribe, made it clear that--although the Christians talk about their faith--"they have never asked or forced anyone to convert." Rana also said that "Our community will stand behind these Christians under all circumstances."

    Thank God that the villagers are determined to stand with the Christians. Ask God to give Chin Min Thang a heart of forgiveness and that both his friends and enemies will respond in faith to Christ as a result of his testimony (Matthew 5:14-16, Romans 12:14, 21). Pray that the police will act on this incident quickly and that there will be true justice.

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India,click here. A new video report on India is now available on VOMC's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.
  • Christian Workers Assaulted

    Pastor Simon and Evangelist Salbin rent a house in Kasipur, in the northern Indian state of Uttaranchal. During a worship service there on September 24, a mob of approximately fifty people barged into the house, attacking the two men. According to VOMC sources, the mob continued to beat the men until they reached the police station, where they were accused of forcible and fraudulent conversion activities.

    The men, along with the owner of the house, continue to be threatened. Hindu organizations have been demonstrating at the police station and false rumours against the men have been spread to the local media in an attempt to discredit them.

    Ask the Lord to give Simon and Salbin strength to remain faithful to God's call (1Peter 5:1-4). Pray that the believers will continue to meet despite the threats (Hebrews 10:23-25). Pray that God would be glorified by their faithfulness (2 Corinthians 4).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here. A new video report by Crossroads Communications about some of the ways that VOMC is assisting persecuted Christians in India is available on https://www.vomcanada.com/.
  • Update: Pastor Dasrath Still Detained, Others Released

    Last week's Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on a group of Christians who were attacked in the village of Diviya. (click here for more details). According to a September 29 report from Compass Direct, seven of the eight Christians have been released on bail. One, Pastor Dasrath Nanji Dilwad (previously referred to as Dasrath Bai), remains in custody, falsely charged with the misuse of a firearm. The eight are missionaries with the Indian Missionary Society (IMS). Rev. D. Vethanbu, IMS general secretary, told Compass, "These accusations are the work of extremists who will go to any lengths to prevent the spread of the gospel."

    Pray that, like the New Testament believers, Christians in this area will be even more bold as a result of the persecution (Acts 4:29-31). Continue to pray that Pastor Dasrath will be released.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • Continuing Attacks Against Christians

    For the past several months, persecution against Christians throughout India has continued to increase as Hindu militants use state anti-conversion legislation as a weapon against Christians. Several reports arrived this week, recounting the attacks on believers in Jesus Christ.

    In Nana Badvani, Madhya Pradesh, a mob of more than twenty Hindus entered a church meeting on the evening of September 24. According to VOMC sources, two pastors were severely beaten. The attackers demanded that they renounce their faith in Christ or risk death. The Bible of one of the pastors was torn apart and spat on. They were then taken to the police station where they were accused of forcible conversions.

    Two days earlier in the same state, two evangelists were ambushed on their way to the village of Khedli. According to a September 26 report from Compass Direct, Lakhan Pawar was severely beaten. Both he and his companion, Shailendra Pawar, were arrested and charged with insulting Hinduism. At last report, they were still in custody. They have not filed a bail petition for fear of further attacks if they were released.

    On the evening of September 12, Pastor Job Ramanjanum was leading a small prayer meeting in his home in Nehruji Nagar, Karnataka. Just after the prayer meeting ended, a mob stormed the house and dragged Pastor Job, his wife and four-year-old child from their home and the couple was badly beaten.

    In Buntwal, Karnataka, two pastors were called to the police station on September 20. The Sub Inspector asked them to not allow Hindus to attend their prayer meetings. When the pastors replied that they cannot prevent anyone from attending, a group of militant Hindus, who were present at the time, threatened that they would not allow any future prayer meetings to take place. The Sub Inspector told the pastors that he could not provide protection for them from such threats.

    In the village of Diviya, Gujarat, pastors Arun Daniel (38) and Dasrath Bai (30) were meeting in a home with six other believers for prayer on September 20. According to VOMC sources, as they left the home, as many as twenty Hindu militants attacked the Christians, shouting anti-Christian slogans and abusive comments. When they went to the police the next day to file a complaint, the Christians were detained. Indian newspaper reports have presented a completely different account of the incident. According to the Indian Express, one of the villagers, Kanji Nayak, accused the eight "missionaries" of offering various inducements to the villagers if they would convert to Christianity. He claimed that, when the Christians faced opposition to their message, one of them pulled out a hand-made pistol and shot three rounds at the fleeing villagers. A cartridge was allegedly recovered from the scene, along with Bibles and leaflets. No weapons have been recovered, but six of the Christians are being held in connection with the incident. The Global Council of Indian Christians has completely rejected the newspaper account, calling it inflammatory and completely baseless.

    Pray that believers throughout India will find strength and comfort in the refuge God provides (Psalm 127). Pray that they will not fear but remain faithful even if it means giving their lives for Christ (Revelation 2:10). Pray that they will continue to meet together and find mutual encouragement and support (Hebrews 10:23-25). Pray that the innocence of those facing false charges will become obvious to all and that their accusers will be put to shame.

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India,click here.
  • Attacks on Christians Continue in Madhya Pradesh

    A string of separate militant Hindu attacks against Christians in Madhya Pradesh, India over the past week demonstrate the continuing persecution in the area that often goes unpunished by police and local authorities.

    (a) On September 12, police in the Jabalpur district detained Assemblies of God pastor Venkatesh Kumar Sadhu after members of the Hindu militant organization, Bajrang Dal, accused him of attempted forced conversion. According to a September 15 report from Compass Direct, Sadhu had been visiting a home in the village of Ghama Thana and praying for a sick family member when the militants arrived. They attacked Sadhu and damaged his scooter. They then filed a complaint against him and had him taken to a local police station for questioning. The police admitted afterwards that Hindu militants were pressuring them to prosecute Christians such as Sadhu.

    (b) In a separate incident on September 10, VOMC sources report that members of Bajrang Dal also attacked a church in Mangwan for the second time in three weeks. The attack occurred at 10:00 a.m., while the thirty congregation members were engaged in a prayer and worship service. The Hindu militants told the Christians that there would be a bloodbath if they did not stop, but the congregation continued to worship Christ.

    A local Christian reported the incident to higher officials and police but the local authorities claimed that Christians are not legitimate citizens. Hence, even if persecution incidents such as these are reported, police authorities would not likely to come to their aid.

    (c) Also on September 10, police arrested Pastor Haroon Jonathan and several other Christian family members in the village of Bhargat after seventy militants interrupted a house church meeting and attacked the congregation. According to the September 15 report from Compass Direct, the attackers dragged Jonathan, his wife, and his in-laws out of the house and had them detained by police under accusations of "hurting religious sentiments, prompting religious animosity and 'forced conversion'" under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 3 and 4 of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act.

    The police claim to have a tape recording of Jonathan urging people to get rid of idols and pictures of Hindi deities. A local person claimed that the Christians had encouraged villagers to eat beef (which is forbidden for Hindus) and told people that those who worship Hindu gods and goddesses would die. The four accused Christians have been released on bail.

    (d) In another incident on September 10, a mob of about forty Hindu militants attacked approximately fifteen Christians in Balaghat City who were worshipping in the house of a Christian convert, Rekha Bai Kawde. The mob accused the Christians of forcibly converting Hindus and took Kawde and two evangelists - Durga Prasad Vanshpal and a man identified only as Niware - to the police station where they were detained.

    Compass Direct reported on September 15 that Kawde was pressured by police to give a statement claiming that the Christians had forcibly converted her and broken Hindu idols. The police apparently threatened to burn her house down and kill her son if she did not do as they asked. At last report, the three arrested Christians are still in jail.

    Ask God to give believers throughout Madhya Pradesh the patience to entrust true justice into the hands of God and respond to persecution with kindness, love and prayer (Romans 12:17-21). Thank God for giving the congregation in Mangwan the strength to remain faithful. Pray that they will continue to encourage each other to keep their eyes on their eternal reward (Hebrews 12:1-3). Ask God to give the words that they need to those who are being detained (Matthew 10:19). Pray that God will deliver them from their accusers.

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India,click here. Various video reports from India are available on VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.

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