There were at least two attacks on Christians by Hindu militants in Madhya Pradesh in recent weeks, according to a February 25 report from Compass Direct.
On February 22, Hindu militants forcibly entered a local Christian's home in the district of Balaghat where a group of Christians were gathered together for worship. The militants shouted "Stop conversions" at one of the men present and dragged him outside. When another believer tried to come to the man's aid, the militants also dragged him outside, where 15-20 militants were waiting. The mob beat the two men along with three other believers with bamboo poles, rods and belts. Both men sustained internal injuries. Later the militants took some of the Christians to the local police station where they accused them of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity.
At approximately 2:30 p.m. on February 24, a mob of at least 125 Hindu militants forcibly entered the compound of the Masihi Mandir Church in the Chawani area of Indore while 15 Christians were preparing to begin a worship service. The militants beat drums and shouted slogans such as, "He who talks in favor of only Hindus will rule the nation," and "Stop conversions." When the believers vacated the building and locked it, the mob shattered the windows and destroyed a cross on the lawn. A Christian college student was severely beaten while trying to flee the scene. During the attack, the militants apparently voiced plans to set the church building on fire, but when the police arrived they were able to stop them from causing further damage.
Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks. Pray that those who accuse Christians of forcible conversion will be silenced. Ask God to enable Christians in India to grow in Christlikeness through their trials (James 1:2-4).
For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, go to the India Country Report. VOMC has a number of video reports on the persecution of Christians in India on our multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.
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