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India

  • Church Construction Destroyed

    Tensions are high in the village of Rohiyal Talal in India's Gujarat state after a July 18 attack on a church building under construction. A group of 15-20 people arrived in a jeep with spades and axes and began to destroy the walls, iron grates, and windows. According to witnesses, some of the attackers were local leaders of the militant Hindu organization Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). According to Compass Direct, problems arose when two Hindu brothers turned against another brother, Suresh Ada Varli, who had become a Christian. Varli was helping to finance the construction, which his brothers claimed was illegal. Even though police identified several of the accused the next day, no arrests have been reported.

    Pray that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable. Pray that Christians in the community will demonstrate the love of Christ to their Hindu neighbours and that people will come to Christ through this situation.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in India, click here.
  • Christians Charged Under Anti-Conversion Laws Released on Bail Pastor Subas Samal and his associate, Dhaneshwar Kandi, from Kilipal village in Orissa, India were released on bail on July 14 after spending more than six weeks in jail on charges under the state's anti-conversion legislation(for more information on the arrests, click here). The five women charged along with them are still in prison until bail can be posted for them.

    In a July 16 report from Compass Direct, Pastor Samal denies ever using money or other means to induce people to convert. The two men intend to return to Kilipal and attempt to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict going on in the village. Their arrest stems originally from an incident in February when Hindu villagers shaved the heads of Samal and six women as a sign of their "re-conversion" to Hinduism. After six villagers were arrested in connection with the incident, charges were brought against Samal, Kandi and the women in retaliation.

    Pray for Samal and Kandi, as they attempt to bring peace to their village. Pray that the women still in prison will be released on bail. Pray that all charges will be dropped and that the anti-conversion legislation will be repealed in Orissa.

    In another positive development, a Dutch missionary who has served in Kashmir since 1963 and had been ordered to leave the country (click here for details) will be allowed to remain. Father Jim Borst's visa was not renewed in April, following accusations that the Catholic schools he was running were being used to as methods of converting the area's Muslims. After further investigation, the charges were not substantiated and Borst will be allowed to continue his ministry in India.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • Body of Christian Removed by Hindu Villagers

    Though there are only twenty-five Christians in the village of Patsoi in Manipur, India, they agreed as a church to purchase land for the express purpose of establishing a Christian cemetery. When the mother of Pastor Amuba died, the church planned to bury her in their newly-established cemetery, but Hindu villagers protested against a Christian cemetery in their small village. According to a July 18 report by Assist News Service, the church members attempted to peacefully resolve the issue, but it quickly escalated to the point where they were accused of fraud. Nevertheless, the funeral continued and the woman was buried. After the funeral, however, village leaders led a group who dug up the body and took it to the pastor's house as a warning.

    The woman has since been buried in a cemetery in a nearby village and with the support of Rev. N. Debenedra Singh, the Executive Secretary of Meitei Baptist Association in Manipur, a case was registered at the police station against those responsible for digging up the body. To this point, however, police have taken no action to deal with the culprits.

    Pray for the Pastor Amuba and his family, as they face the loss of a loved one together with this added challenge. Pray for a peaceful resolution and that the church will continue to demonstrate the love of Christ to their neighbours in the midst of this situation.

    For more information on persecution in India, click here.
  • Pastor's Wife Kidnapped by Hindu Militants

    Manulaben Dinana, the wife of Pastor Dharmesh Ninama, an Assembly of God missionary in Dahod district, Gujarat, was assaulted and kidnapped on May 29 while in the local market. According to a July 9 report from Compass Direct, several eye-witnesses saw the incident, identifying the ten men as a local group of Hindu militants, led by Devjibhai Hirabhai Pargi.

    Despite the eye-witness accounts, including identification of the attackers, the police refused to arrest or even question the men, even though her husband provided them with a list of names and addresses. Ninama then went to the homes of the attackers with some of his relatives. In the home of one, Shanker Maal, they found Dinana bound and gagged. However, they were attacked and forced to flee. The police came an hour later, only to find that Dinana had been moved. The police would not search the area. Incredibly, the next day, in the presence of the husband, the police chief called the kidnappers asking that they release her. The kidnappers admitted that they had her and agreed to do so soon. There has been no action by either the police or kidnappers, however, despite Ninama's repeated pleas for help.

    Police finally registered the case on June 12 only after the All India Christian Council appealed to state authorities. They have charged the men with abduction and rape, but have not taken any action to arrest the men, even after six weeks. Christians in the area believe that part of the reason for the inaction of the police is that the attackers are members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal, both militant Hindu organizations. They also have allies in the local legislative assembly.

     
    Shri Ashok Chandulal Bhatt

    Pray for safety for Manulaben Dinana and for comfort and strength for Ninama. Pray that the authorities will be willing to take action against her attackers. We would ask that you please appeal to the Law and Justice Minister for Gujarat State, Shri Ashok Chandulal Bhatt, urging him to direct the Director General of Police to make an arrest and to rescue this man's wife from her kidnappers. The case number of the incident is FIR No. 94.04, registered by the Fatehpura police officials on June 12. The minister can be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

    For more information on persecution of the Church in India,click here.
  • Pastor and Six Others Charged Following Humiliation by Hindu Villagers

    Pastor Subas Samal, his associate pastor Dhanishwar Kandi, and five others from Kilipal village in Orissa state, India, have been charged with "conversion by inducement" under the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act (OFRA). According to a June 3 report from Compass Direct, these charges follow arrests of six Hindu villagers after eight Christian women and Pastor Samal were beaten and humiliated for their faith (click here for more details). According to the charges against them, the Christians are accused of forcibly converting twenty-five Dalit villagers over a period of ten years, luring them with financial rewards. The lawyer for the Hindu villagers who humiliated the Christians also claims that the Christians shaved their own heads, "tonsuring" themselves in order to malign the Hindu community.

    Pray that the charges against these Christians will be dropped and that the truth will prevail. Pray for a continued ministry by Christians in Kilipal, and that the Gospel of Christ will reach the Hindu villagers who brought these charges against these believers.

    For more information on the trials facing Christians in India, click here.
  • Christian Appointed to Cabinet The Voice of the Martyrs was delighted to learn this week that India's new Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has appointed P.R. Kyndiah from northeast India to become his Minister of Tribal Affairs. Kyndiah is known to be a strong Christian and his appointment, it is hoped, will help stem the rising persecution of Christians that has marked India over the last five years. The electoral defeat of the ruling pro-Hindu BJP government and the appointment of India's first non-Hindu Prime Minister are hopeful signs that religious minorities can expect greater protection than they have in recent years.

    Thank God for recent developments in the India government. Pray that militant groups loyal to the former government will not instigate acts of violence against Christians and other religious minorities in retaliation.

    For more information on challenges facing the Church in India, click here.
  • Election Results Bring Renewed Hope for Christians

    As Indian voters went to the polls, a close election was expected, but one which would return to power the ruling Hindu nationalist BJP party. Instead, in what Indian Christians consider an answer to prayer, the secular National Congress Party gained a surprisingly decisive victory. Dr. Joseph D'Souza from the All India Christian Council told Assist News Service on May 14 that, while persecution of Christians will likely continue at the state level in some parts of India, there is an expectation of change on the national level, respecting the rights of all people, including religious minorities.

     
    Selvi J. Jayalalithaa
    Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

    Almost immediately, effects of the election were seen in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. After devastating election results in which her party failed to gain a single seat in the national elections, Selvi J. Jayalalithaa, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, announced a number of legislative changes on May 18, including the immediate repeal of the state's controversial anti-conversion law. Jayalalithaa claimed that the decision was based on requests from religious minorities as well as to "clear any misconception" on the intention of the law.

    In response to India's election results, VOM spokesman, Glenn Penner, said, "We are delighted to see the defeat of the BJP party in India. Under their rule, Hindu militants have felt free to intimidate and attack religious minorities without fear of significant consequences. Together with India's Christians, we rejoice in the hope of greater religious freedom in this great country. We particularly welcome Tamil Nadu's repeal of the anti-conversion law and urge similar action in the remaining states that have passed such restrictive legislation."

    The June edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter will feature an article on the situation facing Christians in India. Click here to subscribe now to our newsletter. For more information on persecution of Christians in India, click here.
  • Long-Time Missionary Ordered to Leave

    Jim Borst, has been serving with the UK-based Mill Hill Mission in Kashmir since 1963. According to a May 7 report from Compass Direct, Borst has been asked by the Foreigners' Registration Office to leave India, saying that his visa was not renewed.

    Borst is principal of Burn Hall School and St. Joseph's school in Srinagar. In November 2003, the Good Shepherd Mission School, which Borst founded, was attacked twice by unidentified assailants. In one incident, a grenade was thrown into the school, though no one was hurt in the attack. Police said the attacks were intended to frighten rather than injure. It is believed the attacks were related to Borst's evangelistic work in the area. Borst has also translated the New Testament and Psalms into modern Kashmiri.

    According to a letter from the Foreigners' Registration Office, his visa renewal was denied because he had left the country in December 2003 and later entered Kashmir "illegally and unauthorized." The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) has protested this "unwarranted harassment of Father Jim."

    Pakistan and India both claim control of the region of Kashmir and fighting continues in the region between the two countries. Along with the political battles, Christian missions in Kashmir have faced opposition from both Hindu and Muslim militants.

    Pray that Jim Borst will be allowed to continue his ministry in India. Also pray for the continued ministry of Mill Hill Mission in the areas of education, medical and evangelistic work. Pray for safety for Christian workers in Kashmir as they face threats from both Hindu and Muslim militants.

    For more information on persecution facing Christians in India, click here.
  • Couple Kidnapped Just Before Baptism

    In meetings with church leaders in northeastern India this week, The Voice of the Martyrs learned about a Hindu couple living in the village of Barobisa (near the Bhutan border) who had recently accepted Christ. They were about to be baptized when they were kidnapped by local Hindus and have not been heard from since. Church leaders expressed concern for their safety and believe that the kidnapping may be an attempt to pressure the couple to reconvert to Hinduism.

    The religious climate in India has grown markedly more hostile in recent years. The country's ruling BJP party has close connections with militant Hindu organizations intent on suppressing the growth of Christianity in the country.

    Pray for the safe release of this couple. Pray for church leaders as they face the difficult task of encouraging those who desire to follow Christ while facing community and family rejection and violence if they do. Pray for the elections in India later this month.

    For more information on persecution in India, click here.
  • Catholic Priests Accused of Rape and Murder

    Hindu fundamentalists have accused Catholic priests of the rape and murder of a teenage girl in Madhya Pradesh on March 3, despite claims from the Catholics that the death was clearly a suicide. Geeta Devi Saket was a Dalit (low caste) student at Deosar Girls' Boarding School, run by the Catholic diocese of Satna. According to a report from Compass Direct, a maid found the girl's body hanging from an iron doorframe on the evening of March 3.

     
    VHP Logo

    Members of Bajrang Dal, the militant youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP or World Hindu Council) blamed the Catholic priests, saying that the girl had been raped and then murdered. As workers from the school were taking the girl's body to a nearby hospital for an autopsy, they were attacked. Father Thomas Thelakkatt was beaten to unconsciousness while the others managed to escape, taking Father Thelakkatt back to the mission compound.

    According to AsiaNews, the autopsy later confirmed suicide as the reason for the death, but the mob surrounding the mission compound refused to acknowledge the finding. Police tried explaining it to the mass of as many as two thousand people protesting the death, but the mob leaders accused the police of complicity. At last report, police were warning the Catholic workers to remain in the compound.

    Christians in India fear further incidents of violence as the April 10 general elections approach. The ruling BJP party has increasingly supported Hindu groups opposed to the spread of Christianity in India.

    Pray for the family and friends of this young girl who died. Pray for a full recovery for Father Thelakkatt and safety for the workers in the boarding school. Pray for peaceful and fair elections in India.

    For more information on challenges facing Christians in India, click here.

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