Christians Beaten, Accused of Forcible Conversion in India

There were at least three incidents of attacks against Christians in India in recent weeks.

At approximately 1:00 p.m on July 5, four Hindu militants attacked an evangelist, Shyam Kumar (22), while he was distributing Gospel tracts to the poor in the village of Baswapur, Andhra Pradesh. The militants falsely accused him of forcibly converting people and severely beat him, rendering him unconscious. He was later found by a friend and hospitalized for his injuries.

On July 10, Pastor A. Jayrag was assaulted by Hindu militants who opposed local authorities' decision to grant him permission to build a church in the village of Dandu Mylavaram, Andhra Pradesh. At approximately 9:00 p.m., the assailants barged into the house of the pastor and dragged him outside. He was beaten, kicked, accused of forcibly converting people and warned of dire consequences if he continued to preach the Gospel in the village.

_{^{Ms. Prabhavati (27) and Ms. D. Malleswary
Photo from}}_^GCIC

Two Christian women, Ms. Prabhavati (27) and Ms. D. Malleswary (24), were arrested on false charges of forcible conversion in the town of Vivek Nagar, Bangalore on July 12. At approximately 2:00 p.m., Hindu militants came to the women's church and asked them for Christian tracts. As soon as they received the tracts, however, the militants accused the two believers of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. Police arrested the women and detained them at a local jail where they were ordered to remain for 13 days.

Pray for healing for those who were injured in these attacks. Pray for the release of imprisoned believers. Ask God to strengthen the Body of Christ in India to stand in His grace as it faces continual pressure from Hindu militants (1 Peter 5:10-12).

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, click here.

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.