Hindu Militant Arrested for Murder of Indian Pastors

Police have arrested one man and are searching for two others responsible for the deaths of two Indian pastors in recent weeks.  On May 21, the body of Pastor K. Daniel was found on the outskirts of Hyderabad.  On June 2, Pastor Isaac Raju was also found murdered (for more details, click here).  Police interrogated members of various militant Hindu groups in connection with the murder before arresting Goverdhan, a member of Hindu Vahini (Hindu Army). 

According to news reports, Goverdhan and his accomplices, Satyanarayana and Ganesh, were emboldened to commit the murders after the Orissa High Court commuted the death sentence of

Jeep where Graham Staines was burned to death in 1999
Dara Singh to life imprisonment.  Singh was convicted of the 1999 murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons.  A close relative of Goverdhan is reported to have converted to Christianity and they wanted to stop further evangelistic activities.

Continue to pray for the families and friends of these murdered pastors.  Pray also for those responsible for the killings, that they will find the mercy and grace of God and will turn to Him.

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

India Information

  • Current Ministry Projects

    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.”

    Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defense, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry, Medical Fund

  • Country Information

    Population
    1,399,179,585 (2023 est.)

    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.

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India News

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    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.

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  • Family of Deceased Pastor Forcibly Converted to Hinduism
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    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.

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  • Concerns of Imminent Violence in Odisha
    A burned out church still shows a cross on the front wall.
    The remains of a church building
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    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.

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    A street view of a village in Odisha
     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.

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