Several Attacks on Christians throughout India

Pastor Rajendra Chauhan Photo from Mission Network News

This week, The Voice of the Martyrs has received several reports of brutal attacks on Christians throughout India. Here are several summaries.

On March 25, Pastor Rajendra Chauhan and another unidentified pastor were arrested and in the village of Kundra, Uttar Pradesh after twenty six members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Hindu militant group complained to police that Chauhun was engaged in conversion activities. Both men have been charged under the Indian Penal code with "hurting religious sentiments" and cannot currently be granted bail. (Source: Open Doors USA).

Pastor Basanta Nayak Photo from Global Council of Indian Christians

On March 27, Pastor Basanta Nayak (21) was severely beaten by a group of ten to twelve Hindu miltiants in the village of Sujeli, Orissa state. The militants demanded that Nayak deny Christ, punching him and strangling him with a towel. When he refused, they beat him unconscious. Thinking he was dead, they then dragged his body into a nearby forest.
(Source: Global Council of Indian Christians)

On March 31, Pastor Hemant Vashiani and several other members of the True Worship Ministry Church in Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra state were beaten by Hindu militants. After entering the church during an evening service and accusing Pastor Vashiani of committing forcible conversions, the militants beat him and several believers with iron rods and wooden clubs. Pastor Vashiani reportedly suffered head injuries and both legs were broken in the attack. The church building and some furniture were also damaged.
(Source: Global Council of Indian Christians, Evangelical Fellowship of India)

On April 1, two mission workers sustained serious head injuries when they were beaten by Hindu militants armed with bamboo and sugarcane sticks in Damoh, Mahyha Pradesh. The attack occurred after the militants questioned the Christians about a Sunday school procession they were leading
(Source: Evangelical Fellowship of India).

Christian injured in Jabalpur Photo from Global Council of Indian Christians

Also on April 1, the congregation of St. Paul's Church (Church of North India) in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh was attacked during a Palm Sunday worship service by members of the pro-Hindu Bajrang Dal organization. Five believers were beaten and injured, including a baby girl.
(Source: Evangelical Fellowship of India).

Praise God for the courage and faith of these Indian believers. Ask Him to heal those who were injured. Pray that God will give the church leadership in India the wisdom to know how to shepherd the people through these difficult times (James 1:5).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here. Several video features on India are also available on our newly-redesigned multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.