Christians Arrested for Preparing Relief Aid

Pastor Ramesh Kumar and his wife - Photo: Morning Star News www.morningstarnews.org
Pastor Ramesh Kumar and his wife.
Photo: Morning Star News

A pastor and seven others were assembling relief packages for the poor in their area when they were assaulted and arrested by police officers. The police falsely claimed the group had gathered for worship in numbers forbidden under COVID-19 restrictions.

The pandemic lockdown has been hardest on the poor, who are now unable to obtain food and other necessities. India's prime minister recently called on citizens to help feed poor families. So Pastor Ramesh Kumar joined with others to answer that call. As they were preparing the gifts on April 25th, police stormed the home where they had gathered. After threatening the group and beating them with clubs, the police arrested four Christians, as well as the homeowner's three sons and nephew who were not members of the church.

While being interrogated, police insisted that the money to provide the aid must have come from foreign organizations, even though Pastor Ramesh insisted that church families had pooled their own resources to help. It was only when the village head, Kallu, arrived that the officers were willing to listen. After he signed a statement that the Christians had obtained permission to collect food for distribution to the village's nomadic beggars, the eight held in custody were thankfully released.

The next day, however, Pastor Ramesh discovered that a case had still been filed against them, alleging that the group had gathered for prayer. A local newspaper also reported that the church had continued gathering for worship in the pastor's home, though all services had been discontinued since mid-March due to quarantine restrictions. This kind of harassment is common in parts of India, where accusations from those opposed to the Gospel message are used to create problems for the followers of Christ. For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, including previously posted reports, go to our country report.

Prayerfully lift up Pastor Ramesh and the other community members who assisted him with the humanitarian relief efforts, as they now face these false accusations. May they receive vindication in their case, resulting in all charges against them being dropped. Pray for God's blessing and protection to be upon them as they seek ways to continue reaching out with His love and compassion, despite threats of violence and any other forms of opposition they may encounter. Intercede for those opposed to the Gospel, asking God to help them recognize the love of Christ that is being demonstrated in these small but very significant tokens of kindness.

India Information

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC assists persecuted Christians with legal support and rehabilitation assistance, and cares for children of martyrs by providing them with a safe place to be nurtured physical and spiritually. VOMC also partners to equip Christians in India with Biblical training and works to strengthen and support marginalized and persecuted Christian women. Additionally, VOMC helps to provide medical assistance to believers who have faced injuries after being attacked.”

    Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defense, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry, Medical Fund

  • Country Information

    Population
    1,399,179,585 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), other (3)

    Religion (%)
    Hinduism (79.8), Muslim (14.2), Christianity (2.3), Sikh (1.7), other (2)

    Leader
    President Droupadi Murmu (2022)

    Government type
    Federal parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    Based on English common law; separate personal law codes apply to Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for India

    Despite the intimidation and violence that have taken place in many of India's states, may Christians wisely yet unashamedly preach the Gospel. Pray that indigenous Christians and foreign missionaries will minister in ways that do not hint at fraudulent conversions, unmasking the intentions behind the anti-conversion legislation. Intercede for India's leaders, that they may reign with justice and righteousness.

India News

  • Christian Woman Killed by Relatives
    A woman is silhouetted against a sunset.

     

    A Christian woman was beaten to death with a hammer and other weapons on June 24th because of her conversion to Christianity. The murder took place in Toylanka, a village in the state of Chhattisgarh.

  • Young Convert Killed and Widow Forced to Flee
    Jime Kawasi is looking down with her eyes closed.
    Kosa Kawasi's wife, Jime.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    On May 4th, 22-year-old Kosa Kawasi was killed during a violent mob attack while at his home in the village of Kapanar, Chhattisgarh state. The mob, believed to have been led by the young man's uncle and cousin, was angered that Kosa and his wife Jime had converted to Christianity. As a result, the opposing villagers had unsuccessfully tried to force the Christian couple from their home. Following this incident, the angry community members physically confronted the believer – ultimately inflicting a lethal stab wound.

  • Prison Sentence for Alleged Forced Conversions
    Pastor Ramesh Ahirwar and Sakshi.
    Pastor Ramesh Ahirwar and his wife Sakshi.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    A Christian couple was recently sentenced to prison after accusations were made that they had been involved in pressuring others to convert to Christianity. Pastor Ramesh Ahirwar and his wife Sakshi are from the village of Vivek Nagar in Madhya Pradesh. A man had accused the couple of abducting his estranged wife Sapna (who also happens to be Pastor Ramesh's niece) before allegedly pressuring her to convert, holding the woman against her will, and not allowing her to return home to be with him. He also purported that the Christian couple offered to build Sapna a home and give her money each month. The complainant, Abhishek, further claimed that the Christians attempted to convert him as well, offering him a job in return.