Christians beaten, accused of forcible conversion in Karnataka

At approximately 10:00 a.m. on July 10, Hindu militants in the city of Chitradurga barged into a tea stall attended by Sharada, the wife of Pastor Nagaraj, and questioned her about her faith, according to a July 18 report from Evangelical Fellowship of India. The militants demanded to know how much money her family received for converting to Christianity and accused her and her husband of forcible conversion. They also threatened to burn her alive. Sharada was dragged to the police station where a complaint was filed against her. Pastor Nagaraj was also summoned to the station and upon his arrival was beaten by the militants while police looked on.

Also in Karnataka, four Christians were beaten and accused of forcible conversion by Hindus at approximately 5:30 p.m. on July 18 while visiting a housing colony in the western region of the city of Bangalore. The believers were brought to a police station three hours later. Later that night, they were presented before a magistrate and sent to the Bangalore Central Jail, where they remained at last report.

Pray for the release of the imprisoned believers. Pray that those who falsely accuse believers of forcible conversion will see that the Good News is a free gift and will respond to faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).

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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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