Christians Beaten, Accused of Forcible Conversion in Karnataka

Pastor Laxmi Narayana
Photo from Compass Direct
Pastor Laxmi Narayana (35) was attacked by members of the Hindu militant organization Bajrang Dal in the city of Hesargetta, Karnataka on June 8. According to the All India Christian Council, at approximately 7:00 p.m., fifty militants stormed into Pastor Narayana's home and threatened him with violence if he did not leave the area. Shortly thereafter, 100 more militants arrived and assaulted Narayana in front of his wife and two small children. One of the attackers doused Pastor Narayana with kerosene and attempted to set him on fire with a burning Bible. The militants then stripped Narayana naked, hung a sign around his neck that said, "I am the one who converts people" and paraded him through the city streets while over 1,000 Hindus joined in harassing him. He is currently in hospital with swelling and numerous bruises.

On June 10, nine Christians were attacked in the town of Siris, Karnataka by members of the militant Hindu organization Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) who accused them of committing forcible conversions. The militants barged into a house where the believers were gathered for Sunday worship, disrupted the service and tore pages from a song book. They then handed the believers over to the police, claiming they had been conducting conversions for the past three months in a local hut.

Pray that these Christians will come into a deeper relationship with Christ as they embrace the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:7-10). Ask God to give those injured a speedy recovery. Pray that those who persecute will come to know Christ as Lord.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here. VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com has several features from India.

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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    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
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    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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  • Christians Forced to "Reconvert" to Hinduism
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     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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