Pastor attacked by Hindu militants in Andhra Pradesh


Pastor Vanamali Parishudham
Photo from Compass Direct

Pastor Vanamali Parishudham (35) was brutally assaulted by Hindu militants in Yellareddygudam village in Andhra Pradesh on September 20, according to a September 28 report from Compass Direct. The militants attacked the pastor while he walking home from a Sunday worship service, battering him with sharp-edged metal rods. He was left for dead in the middle of the road, unconscious and bleeding profusely from his head. He was later taken to a local hospital where he received six stitches. At last report, he was undergoing head scans to detect any internal injuries. Commenting on the incident, Pastor Parishudham said: "I am scared and fear facing more attacks in the future, but I will continue to preach and go to the prayer house."

Pray for healing for Pastor Parishudham. Pray that he will grow in Christlikeness as he suffers for his faith (James 1:2-4). Pray that the faithfulness of Indian Christians will be a light that draws others to Christ.

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

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.

Select a Region

India News

  • Christians Banned from Eight Villages
    Several people are seen in a distant field.
    A field that was looted in Michwar village.
    Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

    On November 17th, the leaders of eight villages in Sukma, a district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, passed a joint resolution that prohibits Christians from staying in their communities. As a result of the decision, all Christian residents have been required to renounce their faith or leave. The order impacts around 100 believers, whose fields, properties and belongings were threatened with confiscation if they did not comply. One local chief who supported the decree claimed that the village council supersedes the Indian Constitution, thus negating any arguments about the believers' right to freedom of belief.

    Read more...

  • Police Watch as Christians Suffer Mob Attack
    A large gateway to a section of a town.
    The entrance to a Hindu complex.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Ms. Sarah Welch

    As police officers stood by and watched, hundreds of people attacked 14 Christians in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on October 30th. The violent incident occurred after the victimized followers of Jesus refused to abandon their Christian faith, despite orders from tribal leaders to do so.

    Read more...

  • Christians Accused of Forcibly Converting Children
    A woman and two children are looking through a small bag of goods. Other women are seated around them.
    Photo: VOMC
     

    Recently, 11 female evangelists from the southern states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh travelled from Hyderabad (the capital of Telangana state) to Bhagwanpur (a town located within the northeastern state of Bihar) in order to spread the "Good News" of the Gospel in villages surrounding the area.

    Read more...

  • Pastor Sentenced for Alleged Forced Conversions
    Three men are standing on a shaded pathway. One of the men has his Bible open and is speaking with the other two.
    A pastor in India sharing God's Word.
    Photo: VOM International
     

    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.

    Read more...

View All

India Videos

 
India: Christians Face Relentless Pressure To Convert To Hinduism
/component/allvideoshare/category/india.htm
 
Persecution Trends Report for 2024: Nigeria, India, Pakistan and China
/component/allvideoshare/category/india.htm
 
India: Defending Christians Against False Charges of Forcible Conversions
/component/allvideoshare/category/india.htm
 
Persecution Trends Report for 2023: Nigeria, China and India
/component/allvideoshare/category/india.htm
 
India: Church Demolition
/component/allvideoshare/category/india.htm
 
India: Church Planting and Persecution
/component/allvideoshare/category/india.htm
More