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India

• New Anti-Conversion Bill Passed in Rajasthan

  On March 20, the governing Bharatiya Janata Party in Rajasthan state passed a new "anti-conversion" bill that has stricter provisions than the previous bill that was passed in 2006 (click here for more details). The new bill states that a society or trust found to be "contemplating" the use of money for converting people can have its registration canceled. Christians fear that this stipulation will provide the pretext for numerous complaints against Christian organizations. The bill also dictates that any person who intends to convert must send a notice to the government at least 30 days in advance or face a fine of up to 1,000 rupees (CAD $25).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Christians Continue to Face Abuse

  The Voice of the Martyrs continues to receive numerous reports each week of Christians facing charges and abuse for their evangelistic activities in India.

  Pastor Nagaraj from the village of Srirampura, Karnataka has had a complaint formally lodged against him for converting Hindus. On March 4, he and his wife were beaten by a Hindu mob. He was then taken by force to the local police station where he was detained until the next day.

  Forty-one year old Vijay Burman converted to Christ 14 years ago. On February 29, Bajrang Dal and Dharma Sena activists lodged a written complaint against him that he is converting people by promising good jobs to anyone who turns away from Hinduism. Those who live near him in say that this accusation is completely false. Such accusations are commonly made against those who are involved in evangelistic work in India.

  Remember to pray for the continuing evangelistic ministry of Christians in India. Pray that the Word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honoured, and that those who share the Good News may be delivered from wicked and evil men (2 Thess. 3:1-2).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report. Video reports are also available on www.vomcanada.com. 

• Update on Orissa

  Shops Destroyed in the Attacks Photo fromMangalorean.com

  All India Christian Council (AICC) reported this week that Christian leaders in Orissa continue to tell of scattered cases of discrimination two months after the major violence that broke out against Christians in the state. Numerous reports are surfacing of unfair treatment by government assessors who refuse to give the promised compensation to those who lost their homes. Moreover, a case filed in the Orissa High Court by Archbishop R. Cheenath to rebuild Catholic churches and institutions was rejected. The Orissa government also continues to ban direct assistance to victims by non-governmental groups. According to AICC, between December 24, 2007 and the end of January 2008, approximately 1000 Christian homes were attacked and set on fire, about 35 Christian shops vandalized, and 95 churches destroyed (for more information on these attacks, including photos, click here.)
  

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Christian Leader Beaten in Madhya Pradesh

  Dr. Robin Singh and his clinic Photos fromCompass Direct

  On February 27, Dr. Robin Singh, a physician and Christian leader in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh was beaten by Hindu militants for providing legal and administrative support to the Christians attacked by militants on February 22 (click here for more details), according to a March 3 report from Compass Direct. The militants punched him and hit him with wooden sticks. They also vandalized his clinic and destroyed all the medicines and the reception area.

  As the president of the Balaghat Christian Association, Dr. Singh has been active in representing Christian concerns before the local authorities. The attack, however, has left him shaken and caused him to reconsider his leadership position.

  Pray for healing for Dr. Singh. Ask God to embolden him to remain steadfast in the face of persecution and suffering for the sake of Christ (Rev. 2:10).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Attacks on Christians in Madhya Pradesh

  There were at least two attacks on Christians by Hindu militants in Madhya Pradesh in recent weeks, according to a February 25 report from Compass Direct.

  On February 22, Hindu militants forcibly entered a local Christian's home in the district of Balaghat where a group of Christians were gathered together for worship. The militants shouted "Stop conversions" at one of the men present and dragged him outside. When another believer tried to come to the man's aid, the militants also dragged him outside, where 15-20 militants were waiting. The mob beat the two men along with three other believers with bamboo poles, rods and belts. Both men sustained internal injuries. Later the militants took some of the Christians to the local police station where they accused them of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity.

  At approximately 2:30 p.m. on February 24, a mob of at least 125 Hindu militants forcibly entered the compound of the Masihi Mandir Church in the Chawani area of Indore while 15 Christians were preparing to begin a worship service. The militants beat drums and shouted slogans such as, "He who talks in favor of only Hindus will rule the nation," and "Stop conversions." When the believers vacated the building and locked it, the mob shattered the windows and destroyed a cross on the lawn. A Christian college student was severely beaten while trying to flee the scene. During the attack, the militants apparently voiced plans to set the church building on fire, but when the police arrived they were able to stop them from causing further damage.

  Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks. Pray that those who accuse Christians of forcible conversion will be silenced. Ask God to enable Christians in India to grow in Christlikeness through their trials (James 1:2-4).

  For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report. VOMC has a number of video reports on the persecution of Christians in India on our multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com. 

• Pastor Beaten

  

  Pastor Abraham (70) and several of his family members were beaten by militants while they were preparing for a weekly prayer meeting in the village of Tharamangalam, Tamil Nadu on the morning of January 18. At approximately 10:00 a.m., a group of local Hindus armed with rods and stones barged into Pastor Abraham's house, which is also used as a church building, and beat him, his wife and five children. When the pastor went to the police station for help, several other Christians arrived at his home to attend the scheduled meeting and were attacked by the militants. Several of the beaten believers were hospitalized with serious injuries.

  Pray for healing for those injured in this attack. Pray that Christians in India will continue to give themselves fully to the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Christians Attacked by Hindu Militants in Chhattisgarh

  Several Christians were injured in two separate attacks over the past week in Chhattisgarh state, according to a January 18 report from Compass Direct.

  On January 16, Hindu militants attacked a large group of believers who were meeting together in a makeshift structure in the Durg district. The militants beat several believers and local villagers present, injuring at least 80 people. The militants also vandalized the structure.

  On January 17, a mob of Hindus attacked a missionary health camp in the Dhamtari district. The militants accused the Christians of participating in a conversion ceremony and beat and injured at least a dozen believers.

  Ask God to give healing to those injured in the attacks. Pray that Christians in India will put their hope in the Lord as the One who upholds their cause (Psalm 146). Pray that their faithfulness will be a light that draws others to Christ (Matthew 5:14-16).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report. Check out our video reports on India on www.vomcanada.com.

• Two Christians Abducted and Beaten by Militants in Madhya Pradesh

  Two men, Vijaya Kumar Maurya and Keera Lal, were abducted and beaten by Hindu militants in Madhya Pradesh on January 17, according to a January 22 report from Compass Direct. At approximately 8:00 a.m., six armed men stormed a house church meeting in the village of Pathigaon and accused the believers present of forcibly converting Hindus. The militants demanded that Maurya and Lal accompany them to the police station. When other believers requested that they go along to the station, the militants beat Maurya and Lal and kidnapped them. Both men were taken to a jungle, where they were beaten again. They were then taken to a nearby temple. The militants planned to sacrifice the two to the temple god, but decided not to do so after the police informed them that a complaint had been filed against them. The militants forced Maurya and Lal to call the police and say that they had not been kidnapped and also forced them to sign a paper making the same claim. At approximately 8:00 p.m., both believers were released.

  Pray for healing for Maurya and Lal, who both sustained serious injuries. Ask God to embolden Christians in India to proclaim the Gospel even while suffering.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Help Christians in Orissa, India

  During Christmas, Christians in the Kandhamal district of Orissa state experienced violence at a level never before seen in the region. At least 90 churches have been burned and 600 houses torched or vandalized in the attacks. Thousands of Christians have been displaced and others are still missing. The total number of Christians killed is unknown. Full details of the carnage are still uncertain since authorities are often denying church groups and fact-finding teams access to the area.

  The Voice of the Martyrs in Canada is responding to the situation by working together with our partners in India in projects that will provide relief aid and support rebuilding efforts in the effected region in the coming weeks and months. You can join us in lifting up our brothers and sisters in Orissa by contributing to VOMC's Relief and Development Fund. Donations can be made online using our secure donation form or through CanadaHelps at our Donations Page.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Believers Attacked During Prayer Meeting in Rajasthan

  

  Hindu activists attacked a group of Christian families while they were conducting a prayer meeting in a believer's home in Udaipur, Rajasthan at approximately 9:00 p.m. on January 6. According to a January 8 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India, the militants surrounded the house and then barged into the home and beat those present, injuring several people.

  Pray that these Christians will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4). Pray for healing for those injured. 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, go to theIndia Country Report. Video reports on India are available on VOMC's main website, on our multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com, and on our YouTube and Facebook pages.