Several reports of persecution throughout India have come to light this past week as opposition to Christians and the spread of the Gospel continues unabated.
(a) On December 29, a large mob surrounded a home in Kaldurki on the border of Maharashtra and Madyha Pradesh. According to a report from Salem Voice, the power to the home was disconnected and the pastor and fourteen other believers were beaten by the mob. Bibles, song books and sound equipment were set on fire.
(b) On December 31, Christians in Nagashettihally in a suburb of Bangalore were putting up a canopy in preparation for a watch night service when they were assaulted by a group of young men. According to the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), one woman named Anjanamma was admitted to hospital with chest injuries following the attack.
(c) On January 2, four evangelists -- V.P. Paulose (58), Abraham George, Samuel John and George Thomas -- were beaten by approximately one hundred Hindu militants in Indrapuri, Delhi, according to a GCIC report. The four men were distributing tracts when they were attacked. Their vehicle was badly damaged and all four sustained internal injuries. The police interrogated the evangelists for several hours before releasing them. According to a January 5 report from Compass Direct, police refused to register the complaints filed by the Christians but neither did they register complaints of forcible conversion brought against the Christians by the militants.
(d) Also on January 2, militants from the Dharma Sena (Religious Army) attacked two Christians in the village of Devera in Madhya Pradesh after breaking into a home they were visiting. According to a January 5 report from Compass Direct, both men, Shyam Sunder and Ram Deen, received injuries in the chest and legs. Police have registered a complaint from the Christians. The militants filed counter claims against the victims for "disturbing religious harmony" and "indulging in conversions." At last report, there had been no arrests but police were investigating the complaints.
(e) On January 6, an angry mob beat a pastor with clubs near Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, according to All India Christian Council. While Pastor M. Gabriel (35) was away from home, a group of local Hindus came to his house, threatened his wife and accused him of converting people. The mob was waiting for Gabriel as he returned home around 11:00 p.m. He ran for his house but the mob caught him and beat him. He was hospitalized with broken ribs and head injuries. The couple is in fear for their lives and has not yet filed a police report on the incident.
(f) A pastor and a church member were attacked by two men while inside their church building in Laggere, Bangalore on January 7. According to Salem Voice, the two men demanded that Pastor Robert stop worshiping in the building. "We will crucify you in the same way that Christ was crucified," they threatened. When a church member, Rajendran, ran to Robert's defense, the men grabbed a microphone stand and struck him in the head. Pastor Robert was also beaten with the stand on his face, back and head.
Pray that persecuted Christians throughout India will put their hope in the Lord as the One Who upholds their cause (Psalm 146). Pray that their faithfulness will be a light that draws others to Christ (Matthew 5:14-16). Ask God to strengthen and heal those who have been assaulted.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here. Recent video reports on persecution in India are also available on VOMC's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.
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