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.
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.”
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.
Hindu nationalists. Photo: Wikipedia / Suyash Dwivedi (cc)
A pastor and several members of his church were physically attacked on September 8th when Hindu nationalists raided a worship service in Bhubaneswar, Odisha State. The Christians were accused of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity.
Pastor Manju, an outspoken leader and prominent advocate for Christian rights in India, pastored churches in two different villages within Chhattisgarh State. Sadly, Pastor Manju suffered a heart attack on August 28th and suddenly passed away, leaving his surviving wife, daughter and two sons grief-stricken and in a state of shock.
The remains of a church building after the attacks in 2008. Photo: All India Christian Council (cc)
Recent reports from reliable sources indicate that Hindu leaders in the state of Odisha are preparing a list of Christian leaders to be attacked during the days to come. Christian leaders have spoken with governing authorities who intend to provide protection. However, the situation is further compounded by the fact that the state is governed by the Hindu nationalist BJP (political party), and the planned attacks coincide with a sensitive time in Hindu/Christian relations.
A village in Odisha Photo: Wikimedia / Strange Burg (cc)
Around 120 tribal Christians from two villages in Odisha State were forcibly "reconverted" to Hinduism on August 4th during a ceremony known as "ghar wapsi" (meaning "homecoming"). The ceremony involved Hindu and tribal rituals which are believed to "cleanse" those who had previously accepted Christ and wash away any remnants of Christianity.
Population
