Hindu Militants Attack Bible School Students in Karnataka

Karnataka, IndiaFifteen Indian students at Timothy Theological College in Bellary, Karnataka state were beaten by Hindu militants on May 24, according to a May 26 report from the Global Council of Indian Christians. Two lecturers at the Bible college, Dr. Isaac Namadevu and Rev. Jayaprakash, were also beaten in the attack. The report indicated that the attack took place at approximately 12:30 p.m. when 20 members of a Hindu militant group barged into the college accusing Rev. Jayaprakash of "forced conversions." The students and lecturers sustained various injuries in the attack. The militants also tore up Bibles, smashed windows, and destroyed the furniture in the facility. After the college filed a complaint, 11 militants were arrested and remain detained in a police station.

Pray for the healing of the students and the lecturers of the Bible college. Ask God to strengthen believers in India to continue to spread the Gospel despite opposition from Hindu militant groups.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.

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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    A church leader in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has been convicted on false charges of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity. On September 25th, a court in Jhabua sentenced Pastor Vikas Nimach to five years in prison and ordered him to pay a fine of over $1,600 CAD. His legal team intends to appeal the recent verdict, claiming that the trial lawyer mishandled the proceedings.

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