The Voice of the Martyrs received several reports of violence against Christians in Karnataka, India over the past week.
On July 4, sixteen members of the Bajrang Dal Hindu militant group beat Dyamappi Chalawadi and his wife Geeta in the village of Baloga. The militants barged into Chalawadi's house and dragged him outside where they kicked him and hit him with wooden sticks. Some of the attackers dragged his wife by her hair, punched her shoulders and back and told her, "We will kill you and your husband if you continue your Christian prayers."
On July 4, approximately fifteen Hindu militants from the Bajrang Dal group attacked Pastor C.J. Samuel and Pastor Moses while they were returning home from a meeting in the village of Belthur. After ambushing the pastors on the road, the Hindus beat them, cursed their faith and accused them of forcibly converting poor villagers. More than fifty others joined in the assault, which lasted for nearly an hour and ended with the militants threatening to kill the pastors if they visited Belthur again.
On the morning of July 8, approximately ten members of the Ram Sena Hindu militant group beat two Christian workers, G. Mohan and M.G. John, in Bangalore. The militants dragged the men out of the house of a local Christian, beat them and paraded them half-naked to the police station where they were arrested on charges of "hurting religious feelings" and "creating enmity between religious communities." Both have since been released on bail.
Pray for the recovery of those who have been beaten in these attacks. Pray that the incomprehensible peace of Christ will rule their hearts and minds in the face of persecution (Philippians 4:7). Pray also that the Lord would strengthen them to lovingly and boldly proclaim His truth, even to their enemies (Ephesians 6:18-20).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.
Video reports on the persecution of Christians in India are available on VOMC's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com.
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