Tags

India

• Christians beaten, church burned down

  The Voice of the Martyrs received several reports of attacks on Christians by Hindu militants in the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in recent weeks.

  Hindu militants Photo from AsiaNews

  At approximately 2:00 a.m. on December 8, Hindu militants set fire to the Jesus Lights Manna Church in the village of Metpally, Andhra Pradesh. The building's main door, altar and window panels were destroyed and Bibles and other Christian literature were burned. At last report, several of the militants involved in the attack had been arrested by authorities.

  On December 9, Pastor N. Moses and several other believers were attacked by Hindu militants while returning home from a prayer meeting in Kistapuram village, Andhra Pradesh. Pastor Moses suffered severe internal injuries and young Christian girls were also beaten. The militants also shouted slogans against Christianity and accused the believers of forcibly converting people. (Source: All India Christian Council)

  Pastor Manjunath (26) and his wife Saraswati (24) were viciously attacked by a mob of Hindu militants who broke into their home in the town of KR Nagar, Karnataka on December 14. The militants accused the couple of forcibly converting people and severely beat them. Saraswati sustained serious injuries but was denied medical attention due to pressure from local militants. When Pastor Manjunath went to the local police station to file a report against the attackers, the officials detained him. The officials have also sealed up the couple's house.

  Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks. Pray that Pastor Manjunath will be released. Pray that those who seek to hinder the work of the Church in India will see the love and grace of Jesus in the lives of Indian Christians.

  To find out more about the persecution of Christians in India,click here.

• Pray for persecuted Christians in Orissa this Christmas

  Purna, one of the believers who was beaten in August 2008

  The Catholic Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar in India's Orissa state has requested prayer from believers around the world this Christmas season for the victims of anti-Christian violence in the area. Please join him in remembering our brothers and sisters in Orissa. (Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

  "Gracious Father, Lord of all the earth, we praise you for the gift of Jesus Christ, sent into the world to break down the dividing walls of hostility. Have mercy upon those in Orissa who suffer for bearing your name. Give them the peace and the justice that they crave, and cause the walls of bitterness and hatred in Orissa to be torn down. Comfort those who have been bereaved, counsel those who have been traumatised, provide for those who have lost everything. Give them the grace to forgive and confidence in your gracious favour. Do not let us forget them, our brothers and sisters in Christ, as we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace and look forward to his coming again in glory."

  Click here to learn more about the ongoing opposition facing Christians in India.

• Three churches attacked in Tamil Nadu

  Window of the church in Sulur Photo from GCIC

  Three church buildings were attacked within two days in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. On November 29, a bomb exploded at a church in Thammathukonam, badly damaging the building's wall. Later that day, a statue of St. Francis Xavier was desecrated by militants in Konamkade while the local congregation was preparing for an Advent procession. The next day, a group of Hindu militants broke the windows of a church building in Sulur and threw stones inside. A bag containing a container of petrol, a diesel can and cotton scraps was later found, suggesting that the attackers intended to set the building on fire.

  Pray that Christians in Tamil Nadu will not give in to fear over these attacks but continue to be bold witnesses for Jesus. Pray that the perpetrators of this violence will be brought to justice.

  Click here to find out more about how Christians suffer in India.

• Christians throughout India targeted in violent attacks

  The Voice of the Martyrs received several reports of violence against Christians in India throughout the week, including the following two incidents.

  On the morning of October 25, four men entered the Assembly of God church building in Old Hubli, Karnataka during a worship service and started taking notes and photographing the worshippers. When the pastor's wife, Radha David (42), asked the men to sit quietly and listen to the sermon, they immediately left. A few minutes later, a group of approximately 50 Hindu militants stormed into the church. They threatened the believers and dragged Pastor K.M. David Raj (47) outside. The militants then collected the Bibles, Christian literature and banners and burned them in front of the church building. Police arrived on scene and brought Pastor Raj, Radha, and three other believers to the police station. At last report, the five remained in police custody.

  On the same day, Pastor Pavithra Kumar (28) was brutally beaten following a morning worship service in Mastoori town, Madhya Pradesh. Approximately 11 Hindus called Pastor Kumar outside where they attacked him with their fists, wooden rods and field hockey sticks. Pastor Kumar was able to escape his assailants and run back inside the church building. However, he was badly injured on his hands, chest, back and head.

  Pray that these believers will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39, Hebrews 12:1-3). Pray that those who seek to hinder the work of the Church in India will see the love and grace of Jesus in the lives of Indian Christians.

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

• Pastor attacked and arrested in Karnataka

  Pastor Singaram Prakash Photo from GCIC

  At approximately 7:00 p.m. on October 4, Hindu militants attacked Pastor Singaram Prakash (60) after he attended a prayer meeting in Kaiwara village, Karnataka. The militants beat the pastor and accused him of "cheating" people. Police detained the pastor and questioned him for hours about his Christian activities. Twenty-five local people have reportedly presented evidence in support of Pastor Prakash, emphasizing that he had not conducted illegal activities and had only entered people's houses for prayer at their request. At last report, he was still in custody. Pastor Prakash has been leading a church in the nearby village of Tharabanhalli for 10 years.

  Pray for Pastor Prakash's release. Pray for safety for his wife and two daughters, who are also involved in ministry in the area.

  To learn more about Indian Christians under fire for their faith, visit theIndia Country Report.

• Pastor attacked by Hindu militants in Andhra Pradesh

  Pastor Vanamali Parishudham Photo from Compass Direct

  Pastor Vanamali Parishudham (35) was brutally assaulted by Hindu militants in Yellareddygudam village in Andhra Pradesh on September 20, according to a September 28 report from Compass Direct. The militants attacked the pastor while he walking home from a Sunday worship service, battering him with sharp-edged metal rods. He was left for dead in the middle of the road, unconscious and bleeding profusely from his head. He was later taken to a local hospital where he received six stitches. At last report, he was undergoing head scans to detect any internal injuries. Commenting on the incident, Pastor Parishudham said: "I am scared and fear facing more attacks in the future, but I will continue to preach and go to the prayer house."

  Pray for healing for Pastor Parishudham. Pray that he will grow in Christlikeness as he suffers for his faith (James 1:2-4). Pray that the faithfulness of Indian Christians will be a light that draws others to Christ.

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

• Relief camp bombed in Orissa

  The Nandarigi relief camp, which was recently visited by VOMC staff

  A Christian relief camp in Nandarigi village, Orissa state -- where several families fled following the outbreak of anti-Christian violence in August 2008 (click here for the details) -- was bombed on September 27. Four Christians were seriously injured in the blast and the Hindu man that set off the bomb was killed. Five days earlier, the man had reportedly threatened Christians at the camp with violence, demanding that he be given food and shelter. He returned the night of the bombing and, in a heavily intoxicated state, physically assaulted two Christian boys and uttered more threats against the believers present. When the man slipped and fell, he accidentally detonated the bomb. Officials have claimed that Maoist militants were behind the attack but local Christians maintain that the bombing was planned and executed by Hindus.

  Pray for healing for those injured. Pray that the displaced Christians will continue to look to the Lord as their enduring source of strength, provision and wisdom. Ask God to work in the hearts of Hindu militants targeting Christians so that they will repent and come to faith in Christ.

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

• Hindus falsely accuse Christians of murder

  Pastor Kamlesh Tahed Photo from Compass Direct

  Hindus in the village of Mehendi Kheda, Madhya Pradesh, India are accusing Pastor Kamlesh Tahed (32) and three other local Christians of murdering a young man who was killed in a fight between two local clans, according to an August 31 report from Compass Direct. On August 8, Roop Singh Baria (22) was killed during violence between the Baria and the Tahed clan over 1,000 rupees (approximately $25 CAD) which had been borrowed by one of the Tahed family members. When members of the Baria clan filed a report with the police about the incident, they implicated Pastor Tahed, Kasna Tahed (25), Ramesh Tahed (26) and Vasna Tahed (36) in the murder. The four men and other local people insist that the Christians were not present when the murder took place.

  Commenting on the situation, Pastor Tahed said: "I once was one of [the clan members], but in the 20 years since I became a Christian, they have been dragging me into false cases and hate me for my work of evangelism." In 2001, Pastor Tahed was jailed on false charges of "forcible conversion" for 20 days and released only after a costly court battle to prove his innocence. At last report, he was in hiding and the three other accused believers were in police custody.

  Pray that the truth will come out in this situation and that true justice will reign. Pray for strength of faith for the accused Christians. Ask God to protect and encourage Christians in India as they share the Good News of Jesus.

  Learn more about the persecution of Indian Christians at theIndia Country Report.

• Church burned in Andhra Pradesh

  Photo from GCIC

  The Best Friends Church building in the village of Mahasamudram in Andhra Pradesh, India was burned to the ground at approximately 10:30 p.m. on August 20 by suspected Hindu activists. A dedication service for the newly constructed church building had been scheduled for August 30. The structure was built by the church's pastor on his own property after seven years of hosting worship services in his home.

  Pray that the believers of this church will continue to gather together for worship. Pray that those responsible will experience repentance and salvation, just as Paul did (Acts 9:1-19).

  To find out more about the suffering of our Indian brothers and sisters, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Christians attacked throughout Karnataka

  As the one year anniversary of the unprecedented violence against Christians in Orissa state looms closer, believers throughout India are concerned of further attacks. In recent days, for example, believers in Karnataka state have faced intimidation and arrests from Hindu militants and police.

  Approximately 20 Hindu militants shouting anti-Christian slogans barged into a worship service in the village of Gabbur on August 9. Pastor V. James (46) was beaten and dragged out of the building. He was able to escape his assailants and registered a complaint against them with police. At approximately 9:30 p.m., the militants attacked Pastor James at his home and chased him and his family out of the village. At last report, the family had not returned to their home.

  Pastors imprisoned in Annigere Photo from GCIC

  Just before midnight on August 11, approximately 80 Christians attending a training camp for teachers were attacked by Hindu militants in the village of Annigere. The four-day camp was organized by Seva Bharath Mission India, a Christian non-governmental organization. The militants accused the Christians of being involved in forcible conversion. They confiscated cell phones and Bibles and beat the pastors. Several young women were also assaulted. A pastor was able to escape and sought help from the police. According to Compass Direct, two police officers arrived on the scene at approximately 1:30 a.m., but merely watched on as Bibles were collected and set ablaze. The officers allegedly reported to the Sub-Inspector that the Christians were speaking derogatorily about Hindu gods. Three hours later, more officers arrived and demanded to know why the Christians had not requested permission to meet together. Astonishingly, eight pastors were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly, rioting, criminal conspiracy and "acts intended to outrage religious feelings by insulting religion or religious beliefs." The names and addresses of the other Christians were recorded by police before they were sent home. The detained pastors were released on bail on August 18.

  On the evening of August 16, Pastor John Quadros was visiting a home in Padmanabhanagar, together with several other families, to pray for the host's sick father. Several Hindu militants, police officers and members of the local media burst into the home. The pastor was accused of forcible conversion, questioned and told to inform officials of any future prayer activities. The militants threatened to attack him if they heard of further prayer meetings.

  Pray that increased persecution in India will result in increased boldness among Christians (Acts 4:29-31). Ask God to work in the hearts and lives of Hindu militants so that they will turn to Him.

  To learn more about the persecution of Christians in India, please visit theIndia Country Report.