Easter Season Brings Violence in India

Hall attacked at Balmatta, Mangalore
As a group of Christians gathered in a hall in Balmatta, Mangalore on Easter Sunday, as many as twenty-five militant Hindus stormed the building, cussing and threatening those who had gathered there.  They destroyed furniture and equipment and trampled Bibles and hymnals.  According to an April 17 report from Compass Direct, the damage is estimated at 150,000 rupees ($3800 CDN).

On the same day, also in the district of Mangalore, fifteen attackers from the militant youth organization, Bajrang Dal, attacked the Believers' Church in Bantaguri.  Pastor V.P. Paulouse sustained head injuries and fractures to both of his hands.  His wife was also beaten and their house and car were damaged.  The attackers threatened to further harm the Christians if they continued to meet.

On April 11, approximately fifty members of the Hindu organization Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) forced their way into a prayer meeting in Mumbai. The Hindus initially entered the hall and video-taped the meeting of 500 Christians for more than an hour.  Eventually fifteen of the militants marched forward, grabbed the microphone and accused one of the pastors there of converting people to Christianity. They then proceeded to beat Rev. Joseph with chains, iron rods and sticks for more than half an hour.  Seven other pastors on the platform were also beaten.  Five of the pastors were then dragged to a nearby Hindu temple where the attackers attempted to force them to worship the Hindu gods.  When the pastors resisted, they were beaten mercilessly.  Two of the pastors sustained serious injuries.

Pray that Indian Christians will continue to share Christ with great boldness despite their suffering (Acts 4:29). Pray that those who have experienced the destruction of property will keep their sights set on the eternal inheritance they have (Hebrews 10:32 -39). Ask God to bring Pastor Paulouse and his wife to full recovery and that there will be no long term effects from injuries they suffered. Pray that the pastors in Mumbai will also recover from their injuries and continue to minister effectively in their churches (I Peter 5:1-4).

For more information on the suffering of 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.

India News

  • Supreme Court to Review Anti-Conversion Laws
    The India Supreme Court building is surrounded by trees.
    The Supreme Court of India.
    Photo: Wikimedia / Subhashish Panigrahi (cc)

    The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a series of petitions challenging the constitutionality of anti-conversion laws enacted by several of the country's states. On September 16th, the court issued notices to the respective state governments, requesting their formal responses within four weeks. The case is scheduled to be heard in six weeks, and the judges have indicated that they may consider ordering the states to pause the enforcement of their existing laws until a decision is made.

  • New Policies Further Restrict Religious Freedom
    A brightly lit church building is filled with people.
    A church in India.
    Photo: Flickr / Ashish Kumar Milap (cc)

    Recent developments in two Indian states have raised serious concerns for Christians, particularly in relation to the newly heightened restrictions on religious conversions. In the first incident, police in Chhattisgarh notified more than 200 house churches around the state capital city of Raipur that worship gatherings within private homes are no longer permitted.

  • Pastors Arrested and Assaulted
    A crowd is gathered around a church building.
    A screenshot of people disrupting the service in Bhilai.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    On July 20th, six pastors were arrested after a mob disrupted a church service in Bhilai, a city located within the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The assailants chanted Hindu slogans and accused the pastors of engaging in forcible conversions. As the mob grew increasingly vocal, shouting obscenities and threatening violence, Pastor Baksh locked the church doors to protect his congregation members.