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  • Mob Violence against Christians in India; One Believer Killed, Others Beaten
    Photo of S. Stanley fromSalem Voice
    The Voice of the Martyrs received several reports of incidents of mob violence against Christians in India this week.

    On February 10, a Christian man named S. Stanley (58) was murdered by a group of rioting youths in front of his house in Pavaloor, Kerala state. According to VOMC sources, the youths gathered around Stanley's home and started to shout words against Christianity. After he and his wife came outside to ask them to leave, the mob started throwing stones at the house and tried to force their way through the locked gate. When Stanley went inside to telephone the police, they jumped over the gate and entered the house. Stanley was killed as they stabbed him several times in his back, neck and stomach and also assaulted his wife.

    On February 6 in the village of Bashabri in Assam state, Rahbindra Narzaree and his wife were beaten by Hindu villagers for refusing to "reconvert" to Hinduism. Villagers have been ostracizing Narzaree and his family since he converted to Christianity two years ago. Although Narzaree briefly gave in to their pressure and reconverted to Hinduism, he later declared that he remained a Christian. The villagers responded by calling him and his wife to a meeting on February 6. During this meeting, they denounced him for refusing to return to Hinduism. They also attacked him and his wife with sticks. Fearing for their lives, the couple took refuge at a local police sub-station and then moved to Narzaree's brother's house. Their assailants have not been apprehended.

    On the night of February 8, three Christian workers of the Church of Nazarene were attacked by a group of Hindu militants, according to a February 9 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India. Rev. Ravi Shambhakar, Mr. Ramprakash Sahu and a man identified as Satpute were attacked while they were showing the "Jesus Film" in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Satpute was immediately rushed to the hospital. The others received minor injuries. The team's projector and sound equipment were also damaged. When the Christians went to file a complaint about the incident, the police replied with a letter that claimed the Christians were in the wrong. A hearing date was set for February 13.

    Pray that those who mourn for Stanley will find comfort in the fact that Christ is victorious over death and that those who die in Christ will be raised with Him. (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Ask God to heal those who were injured in the attacks. Pray that, in the midst of persecution, Christians in India will persevere in their faith and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39; 12:1-3). Pray that those who persecute will come to repentance and receive salvation.

    VOMC has recently released a new video on the increasing persecution of Christians in India. A preview of the video is available on https://www.vomcanada.com/. To purchase the thirty-minute DVD, go to our online catalogue.

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

    A Christian was beaten in the city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh on February 5, according to a report from the Global Council of Indian Christians. At approximately 11:00 a.m., Mukesh Badehi was attacked by a group of nearby shopkeepers, many of whom were members of the Hindu militant groups Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The shopkeepers ransacked Badehi's shop and accused him of killing cows. They also accused him of assaulting Hindu shopkeepers. The militants virtually shut down the city with their actions and are planning a rally against local Christians on February 11.

    Ask God to give Mukesh comfort and healing. Pray that Christians in India will rejoice in the fact that God commends those who suffer for doing good (1 Peter 2:20-21). Ask God to thwart the attempts of those who seek to intimidate believers through violence, threats and false accusations. Pray that there will be no further violence at the planned rally on February 11.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here. Video reports on the persecution facing Christians in India are available on https://www.vomcanada.com/.
  • Church Leader Abducted and Beaten
    Logo of the Mar Thoma church
    The manager of compassion ministries for the Mar Thoma church, identified only as Santosh, was abducted from the Belamanahallil-Kolar district of Karnataka on February 1. According to a report from the Global Council of Indian Christians, at approximately 10:00 p.m. Santosh was forcibly taken from Vemkal to Bangalore city, which is thirty kilometres away. There he was beaten and left on the road.

     Ask God to heal Santosh and to protect him from further persecution. Pray that Santosh and other church leaders in India will have boldness and wisdom as they continue the work God has given them (1 Peter 5:1-4, Ephesians 6:18-20). Pray that those who persecute Christians will come to repentance and receive salvation, just as Paul did (Acts 9:1-19).

    VOMC has recently released a new video on the increasing persecution of Christians in India. A preview of the video is available on https://www.vomcanada.com/. To purchase the thirty-minute DVD, go to
    our catalogue.

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India,click here.
  • Pastors' Conference Attacked by Hindu Militants

    A pastors' conference in Raipur, Chhattisgarh state was attacked by about 100-150 members of the Hindu militant group Dharam Sena (Religion Army) on February 2.

    At approximately 3:30 p.m. the militants barged into the Singh Palace banquet hall in Pandri, a sub-district of Raipur. When the female manager tried to stop them from entering, they manhandled her and started to attack the people. At least ten of the Christian leaders present were injured. Two foreigners, identified only as Mr. Jack and Mr. Coli, were also beaten by the mob. The militants verbally insulted the Christians and accused them of forcibly converting Hindus. The mob damaged chairs on the property and stole a laptop, two mobile phones, digital cameras and 5,000 rupees ($134 CAD) in cash from the participants.

    Police registered a complaint against the "unidentified" attackers for several violations of the Indian Penal Code, such as rioting and use of deadly weapons, but did not register the local pastor's complaint.

    Ask God to give healing to all those who were injured in this attack. Pray that these believers will continue to be faithful to the task the Lord has given them, relying on the Lord's strength and not on their own (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Pray that Christians in India will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).

    For more information on persecution in India,click here. The February edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter features the persecution of Christians in India. Click here to subscribe and read the feature article today.
  • Christians Attacked in Karnataka

    On the evening of February 4, as Pastor Surendra and three other Christians named Ananda, Raghva and Harish were returning from a prayer meeting in the village of Uppalli in Chikmagalur, they were ambushed by a group of Hindu militants. According to a February 6 report from the Global Council of Indian Christians, the four were beaten and taken to the local police station where they were charged with forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity.

    Two days later, a group of five Christian leaders arrived to investigate the allegations and to work toward the release of the prisoners. They were asked to accompany a police constable to the site of the February 4 attack. When they arrived, they were met by a large group of armed militants who brutally beat them in front of the police. Two of the Christians were able to escape but the other three, V.P Ranga, P.A Johnson and Krishnappa, were taken to the police station. Police are now enforcing "prohibitory orders" in the village to prevent further attacks against Christians.

    Pray that all charges against these Christians will be dropped and that they will be released. Pray that God will silence those who falsely accuse believers of forcible conversion Ask God to give strength and healing to those who suffer tremendous physical pain and trials for their faith (2 Corinthians 1:9-11).

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

    In two separate incidents this past weekend, Christians in India faced physical and emotional abuse at the hands of militant Hindus.

    On January 27, three Bible school students in the state of Himachal Pradesh were beaten and their home-based school was vandalized, according to a January 27 report from Gospel for Asia.

    The three students were evangelizing in a nearby village when they were confronted by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). They were beaten and taken to the local police station. As many as sixty protestors then vandalized the home Bible school, breaking windows and shelves and tearing apart books. When local police responded to the attack, they took the staff and students into protective custody and posted guards at the school.

    In an unrelated attack, Christians were holding a prayer meeting in Sasaram, Bahir state on January 28 when they were attacked by approximately forty members of the militant Hindu organization, Bajrang Dal. According to a January 29 report from Salem Voice, the armed attackers beat those present. Several were later hospitalized. They also tore down posters and burned books and leaflets. The mob shouted slogans against the conversion of Hindus to Christianity and warned against holding further meetings. According to reports, nearly fifty local Dalit families have converted to Christianity in the past two months.

    Pray for the healing of those who were injured. Pray that Christians in India would set Christ apart as Lord without giving in to fear (1 Peter 3:14-17). Pray that those who persecute will come to know Jesus as their Saviour.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here. Video reports on the persecution of Christians in India are available on VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.
  • Pastors and Believers Beaten, Arrested During Prayer Meeting in Karnataka
    Pastor Raj Shekhar, Pastor Raja Naik
    and the two women who were beaten
    Photo from    Persecution Update
    Two pastors and two female Christians were beaten and arrested during a prayer meeting in the village of Gokul, Karnataka on January 19, according to a January 19 report from the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC).

    Pastor Raj Shekhar and Pastor Raja Naik were attending the meeting when members of a Hindu militant organization gathered around the house. The militants accused the believers of forcible conversion, beat the four Christians and called the police. After the police forced the worship service to an end, they took the four Christians to the police station. Pastor Naik was later released but Pastor Shekhar and the two women are still being detained.

    Pray for the release of the three who are detained. Ask God to heal those who have been injured. Pray that those who falsely accuse Christians in India of forcible conversion will see that the message they bring is one of a free gift, not coercion, and respond to God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India,click here. Also visit https://www.vomcanada.com/ for recent video reports from India.
  • Worship Service Disrupted in Madhya Pradesh

    A worship service in Kanpur, Madhya Pradesh was disrupted within the past week when members of the Hindu organizations Bajrang Dal and VHP stormed the meeting. According to a report from the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), the militants appeared to be targeting foreign missionaries from Japan who were present at the meeting. The pulpit and sound system were destroyed and those attending the meeting were pushed and abused for approximately two hours before police arrived.

    A police report has been filed against the Hindu attackers and the GCIC reports that the local media has condemned the attack.

    Pray that these believers will remain steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Thank the Lord that no one was seriously injured in this attack. Ask that the Lord will enable Christians in India to continue to lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • Pastor and Wife Beaten for Preaching to Slum Dwellers

    Pastor Paul David (29) and his wife Prasanna Kumari (25) were beaten and forced from their home in Bangalore, Karnataka on January 15, according to a report from the Global Council of Indian Christians. For the past two years, Pastor David has been conducting church services in his home that are mostly attended by people from the nearby slum.

    On January 11, a mob gathered outside the couple's home, beating Pastor Paul and forcing him and Prassana to flee from their home. Fearing violence, local Christians did not offer them any assistance and they had to spend the night on a terrace. After finding safe storage for their belongings, the couple returned to Bangalore the next day and found a small room in the slums.

    At approximately 6:30 p.m. on January 15, a mob surrounded Pastor Paul and Prassana's room.  Both of them were robbed and severely beaten. When Pastor Paul demanded that they be taken to the police station, the mob continued to abuse them for over an hour before taking them to the Mico police station. They were falsely accused and questioned for two hours before being released. The couple then hid in a half constructed building in a school compound until the next morning, when they found shelter in a friend's home.

    Ask God to give the Pastor Paul and his wife healing.  Pray that, as sufferings overflow, their comfort in Christ will be more than enough for them (2 Corinthians 1:5). Ask that all Christians in India will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart. (Hebrews 10:32-39; 12:1-3).

    For more information on persecution in India,click here. You can also view video reports from India on the persecution facing Christians at VOMC's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.
  • Christian Aid Workers Accused of Forcible Conversion in Himachal Pradesh

    There were two separate attacks on Christian Aid workers reported over the past week.

    On January 18, five Christians working at "The Last Resort," a drug rehabilitation centre in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, were arrested on false accusations of forcing patients to read the Bible and convert to Christianity, according to a January 19 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India. The complaints were filed by two patients who had escaped from the facility on January 16.  One of the escaped patients, Vinod Saini, later told the Christian Legal Association that he was pressured to file the report and wanted to withdraw his statement to the police. The five Christians, Pastor Rajesh Toppo, Mr. Nizam Minthang, Mr. Gopal Singh Bhatia and Mr. Lalboi were released on bail on January 19.

     

    A few days later, on January 20 or 21, as many as 250 Hindu militants from the Bajrang Dal, Siva Sena and VHP gathered at the home of Pastor Behal in Kangra, Himachal, who works with drug addicts and orphans in the comm unity. According to reports from the All India Christian Council (AICC), the militants protested Behal's missionary activities, demanding that he close down his home for orphans and his church and leave Kangra.  The militants accused him of forced child labour and forcibly converting people to Christianity. The AICC has contacted officials, who assured them that all measures would be taken to protect Pastor Behal and his institutions.

    Thank the Lord that those arrested were released on bail. Pray that they will remain faithful to the task He has given them, knowing that they will receive the crown of life (1 Peter 5:1-4). Pray for Christians as they continue to minister to the needy of Himachal Pradesh. Pray that those who persecute will come to repentance and salvation.

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

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