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India

  • Church Building Burned by Hindu Mob

    Armed with sickles, pickets and torches, approximately two hundred Hindus converged on the Believer's Church in Lamding village on April 19.  Lamding is located 21 kilometres from Imphal, the capital of the Indian state of Manipur.

    Opposed to a church being built in the predominantly Hindu area, the mob overpowered a police patrol assigned to protect the building, which was still under construction, and set it ablaze. The police guard was due to previous threats made against the church.  Reports vary, but at least four Christians were injured in the attack.  Three people have since been arrested.  Damage to the property has been estimated at 445,000 rupees ($12,680 CDN).

    Opposition to the work of the Church in India has been increasing in recent months; particularly from militant Hindu organizations striving to enact or enforce anti-conversion legislation. In an unusual act of solidarity against Christians, the Indian news agency "The Telegraph," reported on April 17 that Hindu and Sikh organizations in Chandigarh State have joined hands to stop religious conversions in their state after as many as fifty-six low-caste (Dalit) Sikhs converted to Christianity on April 16.  A state leader of the militant Hindu VHP threatened, "We warn Christian missionaries to lay their hands off Punjab."  Anti-conversion legislation is presently in place in five Indian states: Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa.

    Pray for the Christians in Lamding village, as they meet to consider the appropriate response to this attack and consider future plans.  Pray that those responsible for this attack will come to understand the grace and love of Jesus Christ.  Pray for Christians throughout India facing opposition as they seek to share the Gospel.

    For more information on persecution facing Christians in India,click here.
  • Businessman Charged with Forcible Conversion

    Vidya Sagaran, a Christian businessman from Kayamkulam Taluka, in Kerala State, India was arrested by local police on March 30.  He has been accused of forcing a Hindu man to convert from Hinduism.

    According to an April 14 report from Compass Direct, Vishwanathan Pillai claimed that Sagaran loaned him money as a bribe to encourage him to convert. Pillai claims that Sagaran demanded the money back when he would not become a Christian.  Sagaran's lawyer, Ranjit George, denies this, telling Compass that his client was simply a mediator in a money transaction between Pillai and a third party.  When Sagaran requested the money back, Pillai accused him of bribery.

    While Kerala State does not have anti-conversion legislation, Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code outlines punishment for anyone who "promotes or attempts to promote, on grounds of religion, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious groups."  Local members of the Hindu militant group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are reportedly involved in encouraging Pillai to file the complaint.

    Pray that charges against Sagaran will be dropped and that the ministry of Christians in this area will not be hindered.  Pray that those opposed to Sagaran will see the love and grace of God shown through him.

    For more information on the problems facing Christians in India,click here.
  • Villagers Burn Prayer Hall and Beat Christians

    Three years ago, a prayer hall was built in the slum area of Panamvilla village in Trivandrum, Kerala State, India.  Other than the twelve believers who meet there, the rest of the community is either Hindu or Muslim. 

    Pastor Paul Ciniraj Mohammed
    Photo from Salem Voice
    Speaking to Compass Direct, the pastor, Paul Ciniraj Mohammed, said that, while there have been negative comments about the prayer hall, there had been no incidents of violence until a baptism ceremony was held on April 1. Twenty-six adults from different villages were baptized in the early-morning service.  Later that day, a group of villagers comprised of both Hindus and Muslims attacked three of the church members praying in the hall.  After the assault, a fire was set to the hall, completely destroying the building.  Two days later, Pastor Ciniraj and his assistant were also assaulted. Christian leaders in the area attribute the attack to an increasing presence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu activist group.

    Pray for the recovery of those attacked.  Pray for the continued ministry of the Christians in Panamvilla in the wake of this attack.  Pray that those who have recently decided to follow Christ may be courageous and stand in God's grace in the face of opposition.

    For more information on persecution facing Christians in India,click here.
  • Re-Conversion Ceremony Results in Threats of Violence
    Dilip Singh Judeo
    Former junior minister in the BJP party

    On April 2, a ceremony was held, during which Hindu activists claim that 700 Christians were "reconverted" to Hinduism in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh, India.  During that ceremony, a former junior minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, Dilip Singh Judeo, is reported to have made that threat that, "If Christian missionaries don't stop converting people, we will take up arms."

    The reconversion claims are in question, according to an April 7 report from Compass Direct.  A local Hindi newspaper puts the number at 97 rather than 700.  A local church leader, Pastor A. David, president of the Dhamtari Christian Fellowship, told Compass that those reconverted were actually Hindus who may have attended a Christian meeting once or twice.  Another Christian leader states that none of those reconverted had been baptized. Christians in Chhattisgarh see such events as a way for militant Hindu groups to encourage the state government to continue their plans to strengthen anti-conversion legislation (click here for details).

    Anti-conversion legislation is a controversial issue in India, with five states presently having such legislation.  The state of Tamil Nadu revoked its legislation in May 2004.  The western state of Maharashtra was in early April when a junior minister stated that such legislation would be introduced.  This was quickly denied by the state's Chief Minister.

    Pray that Christians will be free to continue sharing the Gospel of Christ in India.  Pray for steadfastness for those facing opposition from militant groups.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • State's Anti-Conversion Legislation to be Strengthened

    The government of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh is planning to strengthen its existing anti-conversion legislation, according to a March 28 report from Compass Direct.  The ruling pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) believes that the law is too lenient and contains too many loopholes. 

    Under the current law, an offense is punishable with up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of 10,000 rupees ($275 CDN).  The proposed changes would increase the punishment to a maximum of four years in prison and a fine up to 100,000 rupees ($2750 CDN).  In order to convert to another religion, a person would have to contact district officials thirty days in advance.  Religious leaders would also have to submit a list of prospective converts thirty days in advance.  Officials would have to approve the conversions before they take place.  These provisions apply only to adults eighteen and older.

    Glenn Penner, spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs, commenting on this legislation, said, "Governmental approval of religious conversion is a blatant violation of basic human rights.  The right to believe or to change ones belief is something that no government has the right to approve or disapprove.  We render under Caesar what is Caesar's, but not when Caesar wants what is God's.  India prides itself on its diversity and on being the world's largest democracy.  This kind of legislation flies in the face of both claims."

    Anti-conversion legislation is currently in force in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. Tamil Nadu revoked its anti-conversion legislation in May 2004 after the BJP was defeated in the general elections.

    Pray that these changes will not take place and that other states in India will follow the lead of Tamil Nadu.  Pray for wisdom for Christian leaders in Chhattisgarh as they deal with the implications of these proposals.

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

    As the state government of Rajasthan considers adopting anti-conversion laws, Christians continue to face a campaign of violence from militant Hindu groups in the state.

    On March 13, pastors gathered for prayer in the village of Koida were attacked and their Bibles were desecrated.  The pastors required hospital treatment for the injuries they sustained.

    A March 18 report from Compass Direct records other incidents in recent weeks.  In one incident, on February 23, Pastor Vaalu and his pregnant wife were attacked while traveling on a bus.  According to the head of Emmanuel Mission, M.A. Thomas, Vaalu was beaten in the face while his wife was thrown from the seat and dragged from the bus.  When she pleaded that they spare her for the sake of her unborn child, they told her, "This child is going to be a Christian, so why should we spare you?"  After the incident, Vaalu was taken to the police station where his attackers accused him of being an "anti-social element and a terrorist who was disrupting peace," said Thomas.  Vaalu was held by police for one day before being released.

    Pray that the proposed anti-conversion laws will be rejected and that the increasing violence against Christians in India will subside.  Pray for the on-going ministry of Christ's Church in India.

    For details on recent incidents of violence against Christians in India,click here.
  • Militant Hindus Attack Prayer Meeting While Police Have a Lunch Break

    Four Hindu men identified as members of the militant Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bajrang Dal attacked a prayer meeting in the village of Dhanora in Madhya Pradesh, India on February 23.  According to a March 14 report from Compass Direct, the men beat two of the Christians with wooden planks and roughed up several others while police officers assigned to protect the church sat quietly with their heads down.  Church members say that the attackers told them, "When we can attack you in the presence of police, who can you complain to?"  An hour later, approximately sixty more people came to disrupt the meeting.

    Initially, the police refused to file a report on the incident.  After the church members complained to the superintendent, a report was filed and two men were arrested on February 25.  The police deny any negligence, claiming that the officer assigned to protect the church had gone for a lunch break when the attack took place.

    Among those injured in the attack was a local Christian convert, Jharia, who is over sixty-five years old and received injuries to his nose and above his left eye. Ratan Arjune, a Christian from nearby Jabalpur, was also injured in his legs and arms. A Christian lady from Jabalpur was hit in the chest and others, including the pastor, were manhandled.  Since the attack, local Christians have been warned to drop the case, or Jharia and his associates may be killed or have their homes burned down.

    Pray for protection for these Christians and for a quick recovery.  Pray that justice will be served in this case.  Pray for the continued outreach of the Gospel in the face of severe opposition.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • Escalating Violence Kills Two, Injures Another

    Regular subscribers to the Persecution and Prayer Alert may have noted a marked increase in violence against Christians in India in recent months.  Sadly, that violence has recently escalated dramatically in the north-eastern state of Orissa, where three separate attacks against Christian leaders in February have resulted in the death of two and the wounding of another.

    Param Sagar
    On February 7, Param Sagar was returning from a regular ministry trip in the Pathalperia area when four people emerged from their hiding places, armed with weapons.  He was seriously injured, with axe wounds to his head and right hand.  Thankfully, a Christian approached on a motorcycle and the attackers fled.  Param was taken to a local hospital.  Doctors referred him to the hospital in Bhubaneswar for further tests, but he was unable to go due to finances.  Through one of our sister missions, The Voice of the Martyrs was able to provide funds to assist with his hospital bills.  Hindu militants had threatened to kill Param several times in the past because of his ongoing ministry.
    Funeral for Gilbort Raj

    On February 15, Pastor S. Gilbort Raj (32) was traveling on a motorcycle with two children, returning from taking the children to school board examinations.  As they passed through the village of Raja Khariar, Raj was stopped by a Hindu friend, P.Prakasan, who invited him in for coffee.  Though he initially refused, Prakasan insisted, and so Raj went into his house, leaving the children outside.  Once alone in the house, Prakasan killed Raj, locked the door and told the children to return to the hostel.  Raj's body was discovered the next day.  Police are searching for Prakasan.  Raj had been married for two years and was originally from the southern state of Kerala.  His body was returned to his home town of Trivandrum for burial.

    A third Christian leader, Pastor Dilip Dalai, 22, of the Orissa Follow-up community was stabbed to death at his home in Begunia village, Khurda district, about 60 kilometres west of the state capital of Bhubaneswar on February 26.  According to AsiaNews, villagers suspect Satrughan Pal, a Hindu who had actively opposed Christian evangelists several times in the past.  Police are searching for Pal, who has fled. Pastor Hrudayaban Dandia, head of Orissa Follow-up, believes the killing may have been aimed at putting an end to the spread of the Gospel.

    Pray for the continued ministry of the Gospel in Orissa, despite the opposition being leveled at the Church.  Pray for a full recovery for Param Sagar.  Pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the family and friends of Raj and Dalai.

    Donations made to VOM help assist church leaders like Param in their time of need. Click here if you would like to partner with us in this way.

    For more information on the continued persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • Anti-Conversion Legislation Announced as 5000 Graduate from Bible School

    In another development in India, the ruling BJP in Rajasthan announced last week that they are planning to introduce anti-conversion legislation in the north-western state.

    Last week, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on militant Hindus preventing students from attending graduation ceremonies of Emmanuel Bible College and Seminary in Kota, Rajasthan.  We are thankful to report that authorities eventually intervened and the ceremonies were able to continue.  Five thousand Bible school graduates from across India received diplomas and certificates, pledging their lives to the ministry of the Gospel.  In a thought-provoking editorial, Glenn Penner, Communications Director for VOM Canada reflects on a pledge made by last year's graduates from this school.  Do not miss the opportunity to read his weblog (click here).

    For more information on the pressure facing Christians in India,click here.
  • Battered Body of Christian Evangelist Found

    On February 11, the body of a Christian evangelist, Pastor Narayan, was found in the town of Channapatana in Karnataka state, India.  According to a February 22 report from Compass Direct, Narayan had suffered broken ribs and teeth and injuries to his abdomen. Doctors performing the autopsy said that he had been brutally murdered.  Despite this evidence, the official report of his death, issued after his body was cremated, suggested suicide. 

    Local Christians are suspecting that militant Hindus may be responsible for his death.  Christians in the area have been subjected to attacks for several years.  Sajan K. George, national convenor of the Global Council of Indian Christians, is calling for an official inquiry.  Narayan's family is Hindu, however, and has refused to file a police report.

    Pray for all those who are mourning the death of this brother in the Lord.  Pray that the truth behind his death will come to light.  Pray that many more in the area will come to faith in Christ.  Pray that others will take his place in courageously sharing the gospel in this part of India.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.

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