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India

• Hindu Groups Pressure Government as Christians Face Continued Attacks

  In the village of Jamanya in Jalgaon district of the Indian state of Maharashtra, believers who refused to renounce their faith in Christ have faced intimidation and beatings, according to a May 20 report from Compass Direct.  On May 15, eleven Christian families were summoned to a community court and accused of bringing bad luck on the village.  They were asked to renounce their faith in Christ for the common good of the village.  When they continued to refuse, a mob chased the Christian men from the village, beating those they caught.  When the Christian men attempted to return that evening and found armed villagers outside their homes, they fled to neighbouring villages. 

  Angered at the escape of the men, the Hindu mob attacked the women and children the next day.  Some of the children fainted from the beatings they received.  In the meantime, the Christian men had reported the incident to the Yawal district police.  In response, village officials filed complaints against the Christians, accusing them of forcible conversions and disrupting the peace.

  According to Compass, two militant Hindu organizations, The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP or World Hindu Council) and the Bajrang Dal, both have a strong presence in the Jalgaon district.

  In Orissa State, the VHP has been actively pursuing restrictions on Christians.  According to the Catholic news agency Zenit, the VHP is pressuring the government to dismiss all public workers, police and civil servants who are Christians.  The VHP is also opposing a government ruling which gives equal rights to tribal Christians.

  Pray for Christians throughout India who are facing opposition for their faith.  Pray for protection for the families in Jamanya.  Pray that government authorities will push for equal treatment for Christians.

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

• Attacks on Christian Workers in India

  While walking to the funeral of a church member, eight students from the Beersheba Bible College of the Indian Pentecostal Church of God at Maramon in the Pathanamthitta District of Kerala State, India were attacked by approximately fifteen members of the militant Hindu group, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).  According to a May 16 report from Compass Direct, all eight were treated for injuries from knives and other sharp weapons. Three of those students required hospitalization.  Police confirm that this was an unprovoked attack and have pressed charges against those responsible.

  Those injured in the attack were: Blessen Abraham, George Abraham, Binu Babu, R. Ravindran, Rajesh, B. Rony, T.E. Varghese, and Vinod.  Babu and Blessen Abraham were admitted to the hospital and released on May 15.  According to the last report, Varghese remained in hospital.

  The incident has provoked fear in the student body.  Two days later, a group of RSS militants gathered outside the college shouting threats and anti-Christian slogans.  The campus is under police protection.  The school has responded by offering forgiveness to the attackers.  They do not wish to press charges, though police have registered a criminal case against the RSS workers.

  Pray for the healing of those attacked.  Pray that the peace of God will reign in the hearts of the students and that fear will not rule over them (1 Peter 3:14-15).  Pray that those who instigated this violence will see the love and grace of God and turn to Christ.

  For more information on persecution in India,click here.

• Crowd of 500 Attacks House Church

  On May 1, sixty members of the King Jesus Church were gathered for worship at the home of Pastor Paulraj Raju in Mangalwarapete village in Karnataka state, when a crowd of nearly 500 people converged on the home.  According to a May 4 report from Compass Direct, they violently attacked Pastor Raju, his wife and others.  Some of the women were sexually assaulted when they attempted to intervene.  Bibles and Christian literature were publicly burned and the furnishings of the church were destroyed.  Raju, his wife, and an elder of the church, Mr. Nagraj, were seriously injured.  At last report, Raju remained in hospital.

  Raju is no stranger to suffering.  On April 1, a similar mob of 200 gathered, demanding that services cease.  In January, Pastor Raju had gone to the nearby village of Rampur where he was beaten and accused of converting Hindus. He was arrested under Section 153A(1)b of the Indian Penal Code, which prohibits any act leading to religious disharmony and detained until March 3.  He was released only after his wife filed a petition to quash the charges and the Karnataka High Court ordered his release.

  Pray for a full and quick recovery for those injured and assaulted in this attack.  Pray for the continued ministry of the King Jesus Church.  Pray that those responsible for this attack will see the love and grace of God portrayed in the lives of Christians.

  India continues to be a country of particular concern to The Voice of the Martyrs, as reports of violence against Christians continue to mount in both number and intensity. "Believers in India are in a spiritual battle," says Glenn Penner, spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs. "The pressure put upon them by militant Hindus to stop spreading the Gospel is tremendous. Praise God for those who continue to carry out Christ's call to bring the message of reconciliation to those who are hostile to Him and His messengers."

  For more information on India and the suffering of Indian Christians,click here.  The June edition of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter focuses on the "insane" obedience of those who refuse to disobey God and remain silent.  Click here to subscribe today to The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter.

• Church Building Burned by Hindu Mob

  Armed with sickles, pickets and torches, approximately two hundred Hindus converged on the Believer's Church in Lamding village on April 19.  Lamding is located 21 kilometres from Imphal, the capital of the Indian state of Manipur.

  Opposed to a church being built in the predominantly Hindu area, the mob overpowered a police patrol assigned to protect the building, which was still under construction, and set it ablaze. The police guard was due to previous threats made against the church.  Reports vary, but at least four Christians were injured in the attack.  Three people have since been arrested.  Damage to the property has been estimated at 445,000 rupees ($12,680 CDN).

  Opposition to the work of the Church in India has been increasing in recent months; particularly from militant Hindu organizations striving to enact or enforce anti-conversion legislation. In an unusual act of solidarity against Christians, the Indian news agency "The Telegraph," reported on April 17 that Hindu and Sikh organizations in Chandigarh State have joined hands to stop religious conversions in their state after as many as fifty-six low-caste (Dalit) Sikhs converted to Christianity on April 16.  A state leader of the militant Hindu VHP threatened, "We warn Christian missionaries to lay their hands off Punjab."  Anti-conversion legislation is presently in place in five Indian states: Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa.

  Pray for the Christians in Lamding village, as they meet to consider the appropriate response to this attack and consider future plans.  Pray that those responsible for this attack will come to understand the grace and love of Jesus Christ.  Pray for Christians throughout India facing opposition as they seek to share the Gospel.

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

• Businessman Charged with Forcible Conversion

  Vidya Sagaran, a Christian businessman from Kayamkulam Taluka, in Kerala State, India was arrested by local police on March 30.  He has been accused of forcing a Hindu man to convert from Hinduism.

  According to an April 14 report from Compass Direct, Vishwanathan Pillai claimed that Sagaran loaned him money as a bribe to encourage him to convert. Pillai claims that Sagaran demanded the money back when he would not become a Christian.  Sagaran's lawyer, Ranjit George, denies this, telling Compass that his client was simply a mediator in a money transaction between Pillai and a third party.  When Sagaran requested the money back, Pillai accused him of bribery.

  While Kerala State does not have anti-conversion legislation, Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code outlines punishment for anyone who "promotes or attempts to promote, on grounds of religion, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious groups."  Local members of the Hindu militant group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are reportedly involved in encouraging Pillai to file the complaint.

  Pray that charges against Sagaran will be dropped and that the ministry of Christians in this area will not be hindered.  Pray that those opposed to Sagaran will see the love and grace of God shown through him.

  For more information on the problems facing Christians in India,click here.

• Villagers Burn Prayer Hall and Beat Christians

  Three years ago, a prayer hall was built in the slum area of Panamvilla village in Trivandrum, Kerala State, India.  Other than the twelve believers who meet there, the rest of the community is either Hindu or Muslim. 

  Pastor Paul Ciniraj Mohammed Photo from Salem Voice

  Speaking to Compass Direct, the pastor, Paul Ciniraj Mohammed, said that, while there have been negative comments about the prayer hall, there had been no incidents of violence until a baptism ceremony was held on April 1. Twenty-six adults from different villages were baptized in the early-morning service.  Later that day, a group of villagers comprised of both Hindus and Muslims attacked three of the church members praying in the hall.  After the assault, a fire was set to the hall, completely destroying the building.  Two days later, Pastor Ciniraj and his assistant were also assaulted. Christian leaders in the area attribute the attack to an increasing presence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu activist group.

  Pray for the recovery of those attacked.  Pray for the continued ministry of the Christians in Panamvilla in the wake of this attack.  Pray that those who have recently decided to follow Christ may be courageous and stand in God's grace in the face of opposition.

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

• Re-Conversion Ceremony Results in Threats of Violence

  Dilip Singh Judeo Former junior minister in the BJP party

  On April 2, a ceremony was held, during which Hindu activists claim that 700 Christians were "reconverted" to Hinduism in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh, India.  During that ceremony, a former junior minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, Dilip Singh Judeo, is reported to have made that threat that, "If Christian missionaries don't stop converting people, we will take up arms."

  The reconversion claims are in question, according to an April 7 report from Compass Direct.  A local Hindi newspaper puts the number at 97 rather than 700.  A local church leader, Pastor A. David, president of the Dhamtari Christian Fellowship, told Compass that those reconverted were actually Hindus who may have attended a Christian meeting once or twice.  Another Christian leader states that none of those reconverted had been baptized. Christians in Chhattisgarh see such events as a way for militant Hindu groups to encourage the state government to continue their plans to strengthen anti-conversion legislation (click here for details).

  Anti-conversion legislation is a controversial issue in India, with five states presently having such legislation.  The state of Tamil Nadu revoked its legislation in May 2004.  The western state of Maharashtra was in early April when a junior minister stated that such legislation would be introduced.  This was quickly denied by the state's Chief Minister.

  Pray that Christians will be free to continue sharing the Gospel of Christ in India.  Pray for steadfastness for those facing opposition from militant groups.

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

• State's Anti-Conversion Legislation to be Strengthened

  The government of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh is planning to strengthen its existing anti-conversion legislation, according to a March 28 report from Compass Direct.  The ruling pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) believes that the law is too lenient and contains too many loopholes. 

  Under the current law, an offense is punishable with up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of 10,000 rupees ($275 CDN).  The proposed changes would increase the punishment to a maximum of four years in prison and a fine up to 100,000 rupees ($2750 CDN).  In order to convert to another religion, a person would have to contact district officials thirty days in advance.  Religious leaders would also have to submit a list of prospective converts thirty days in advance.  Officials would have to approve the conversions before they take place.  These provisions apply only to adults eighteen and older.

  Glenn Penner, spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs, commenting on this legislation, said, "Governmental approval of religious conversion is a blatant violation of basic human rights.  The right to believe or to change ones belief is something that no government has the right to approve or disapprove.  We render under Caesar what is Caesar's, but not when Caesar wants what is God's.  India prides itself on its diversity and on being the world's largest democracy.  This kind of legislation flies in the face of both claims."

  Anti-conversion legislation is currently in force in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. Tamil Nadu revoked its anti-conversion legislation in May 2004 after the BJP was defeated in the general elections.

  Pray that these changes will not take place and that other states in India will follow the lead of Tamil Nadu.  Pray for wisdom for Christian leaders in Chhattisgarh as they deal with the implications of these proposals.

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

• Continuing Violence Against Christians in Rajasthan, India

  As the state government of Rajasthan considers adopting anti-conversion laws, Christians continue to face a campaign of violence from militant Hindu groups in the state.

  On March 13, pastors gathered for prayer in the village of Koida were attacked and their Bibles were desecrated.  The pastors required hospital treatment for the injuries they sustained.

  A March 18 report from Compass Direct records other incidents in recent weeks.  In one incident, on February 23, Pastor Vaalu and his pregnant wife were attacked while traveling on a bus.  According to the head of Emmanuel Mission, M.A. Thomas, Vaalu was beaten in the face while his wife was thrown from the seat and dragged from the bus.  When she pleaded that they spare her for the sake of her unborn child, they told her, "This child is going to be a Christian, so why should we spare you?"  After the incident, Vaalu was taken to the police station where his attackers accused him of being an "anti-social element and a terrorist who was disrupting peace," said Thomas.  Vaalu was held by police for one day before being released.

  Pray that the proposed anti-conversion laws will be rejected and that the increasing violence against Christians in India will subside.  Pray for the on-going ministry of Christ's Church in India.

  For details on recent incidents of violence against Christians in India,click here.

• Militant Hindus Attack Prayer Meeting While Police Have a Lunch Break

  Four Hindu men identified as members of the militant Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bajrang Dal attacked a prayer meeting in the village of Dhanora in Madhya Pradesh, India on February 23.  According to a March 14 report from Compass Direct, the men beat two of the Christians with wooden planks and roughed up several others while police officers assigned to protect the church sat quietly with their heads down.  Church members say that the attackers told them, "When we can attack you in the presence of police, who can you complain to?"  An hour later, approximately sixty more people came to disrupt the meeting.

  Initially, the police refused to file a report on the incident.  After the church members complained to the superintendent, a report was filed and two men were arrested on February 25.  The police deny any negligence, claiming that the officer assigned to protect the church had gone for a lunch break when the attack took place.

  Among those injured in the attack was a local Christian convert, Jharia, who is over sixty-five years old and received injuries to his nose and above his left eye. Ratan Arjune, a Christian from nearby Jabalpur, was also injured in his legs and arms. A Christian lady from Jabalpur was hit in the chest and others, including the pastor, were manhandled.  Since the attack, local Christians have been warned to drop the case, or Jharia and his associates may be killed or have their homes burned down.

  Pray for protection for these Christians and for a quick recovery.  Pray that justice will be served in this case.  Pray for the continued outreach of the Gospel in the face of severe opposition.

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