Christians Beaten After Mob Storms Police Station

BJP gathering with large flag
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds Hindu nationalist positions.
Photo: Flickr / Narendra Modi (cc)

Acting on accusations from Hindu nationalists, police raided a gathering of the New Life Fellowship Ministry in Raipur, the capital of India's Chhattisgarh state, on September 5th. The complainants had accompanied the police and attempted to enter the church but were prevented from doing so. The officers then requested that Pastor Harish Sahu report to the local police station.

After the service was completed, Pastor Harish went to the police station, bringing along Ankush Bariyekar, the General Secretary of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, and Prakash Masih. When the three Christians arrived, a mob of approximately 200 Hindu militants assembled outside the building and began chanting anti-Christian slogans. Inside, Pastor Harish was informed that a complaint had been issued against him, accusing him of "indulging in religious conversions."

As the police were questioning the men, the mob stormed into the station. In addition to shouting threats, the attackers physically assaulted the Christians. During the attack, Ankush and Prakash, who were situated in the front, were badly beaten, while Pastor Harish was relatively unharmed. A police officer had also been manhandled in the fracas. A video of the attack was captured and has since gone viral on social media (view here). Reflecting on the incident, a pastor pondered, "If Christians are not safe even in (a police station), what can we expect?"

A case has been registered against eight instigators of the attacks on charges of rioting, uttering obscenities, assault and criminal intimidation. Arrests have been made against two of the perpetrators: Manish Sahu and Sanjay Singh. Manish is the division president of the BJYM, a youth wing of the Hindu nationalist BJP political party. In the days following the arrests of the two assailants, local BJP members have staged demonstrations in protest. They claim the police were influenced by the ruling Indian National Congress party, as they had protected the victimized Christians. For more information on the challenges facing believers in India, including previously posted reports, go to our country report.

Pray for the protection of Pastor Harish, his family, and all the members of their church, as they seek the Lord's wisdom and guidance in the midst of the fierce opposition they've been subjected to for their faith in Him. May those responsible for the recently committed acts of violence against these believers be held accountable for their wrongful actions. Also prayerfully uphold the local police officials, asking that they will have the fortitude to continue standing firmly in their call for societal order and peace, even when confronted by large intimidating mobs. May the militants opposing them and members of the church community have opportunities to hear the "Good News" of Jesus – the One whom they are truly persecuting (Acts 9:5) – ultimately acknowledging Him as their Saviour and Lord.

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.