Several Christians Beaten Throughout India

The Voice of the Martyrs has received several reports of attacks on Christians throughout India during the past week. Here are several summaries.

On March 6, Pastor Binoy Kuriakose and ten other Christians were beaten by members of the Hindu organizations Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bajrang Dal (BJD) while distributing literature in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. Pastor Kuriakose suffered injuries on his head, shoulders and legs. Several believers also sustained serious injuries.
(Source: Global Council of Indian Christians)

A missionary named Pastor Ashir was attacked on March 6 by a group of masked people armed with steel pipes and sticks, as he was returning from a prayer meeting in the village of Rikawaza, Kashmir region. His leg was broken and his family is also being. threatened
(Source: Salem Voice Ministries)

On the evening of March 7, two pastors were severely beaten by a mob of villagers in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan state. Villagers denied them any medical assistance for their injuries. (Source: Evangelical Alliance of India)

Brother Bhaskar was beaten on March 7 in Lingarajapuram, Bangalore by two men who saw him handing out tracts to some women. The men pushed him up against the wall, punched him twice in the face and asked him why he had given the women these tracts. They also threatened to have him arrested if they found him distributing literature again.
(Source: Global Council of Indian Christians)

Photo from Global Council of Indian Christians

On March 11, in Andhra Pradesh, police officers and members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday (March 11) lured a pastor, Bakhthula Anand of the Bethesda Prayer House in Ambojipeta village into a remote forest. There they tied his hands and feet and beat him with wooden clubs as they accused him of offering money for Hindus to convert to Christianity. He is presently undergoing treatment for severe swelling and exhaustion after he managed to reach his home the following morning despite barely being able to walk. His wrists and ankles were bleeding and swollen after the militants untied and abandoned him six hours earlier. (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray for Christians in India who face the rising threat of violence. Pray that they will rest in the knowledge that the Good Shepherd walks with them through this difficult time (Psalm 23). Ask God to grant a quick recovery to those who were injured. Pray for the continued spread of the Gospel in India in the midst of severe opposition.

For more information on persecution in India, click here. A new DVD by The Voice of the Martyrs on the persecution in India entitled "Faith Under Fire: India" is available for sale through our online catalogue. For a free preview, go to www.vomcanada.com.