Hindu Militants Attack Christians in Karnataka

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Several Christians were attacked by Hindu militants in the state of Karnataka, India in recent weeks.

On July 13, Hindu militants disrupted a morning worship service at the Full Gospel Assembly Church in the village of Harapanahalli Taluk, Davangere district and beat believers present. Pastor Prakash Nayak and an evangelist, Kari Basappa, were severely injured. The militants also destroyed Bibles and song books in the attack.

On July 20, another church in the same district, the Gypsy Prayer Hall, was attacked by a group of Hindu militants. At approximately 12:30 p.m., the militants stormed into the church during a worship service and shouted insults and threats at believers present. Bibles and song books were burned. They dragged Pastor Naik (48) and two other believers outside and beat them. The three were then taken to the local police station where they were accused of forcibly converting Hindus.

Also on July 20, approximately twenty Hindu militants stormed into the Friends Mission Prayer Band Church in the village of Konvallichawla, Haveri district during a worship service and assaulted Pastor Abraham. The militants also destroyed Christian literature, including Bibles. They took Pastor Abraham to a local police station, planning to have him arrested, but he collapsed as a result of his injuries and was hospitalized.

Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks. Ask God to bless the ministry of these and other Christian workers spreading the Gospel in India. Pray that the Lord will work in the lives of the persecutors and lead them to faith in Christ.

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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