Students at orphanage forced to pay idol worship fee

Christian orphans in West Bengal, India, have been forced to contribute funds for idol worship in order to gain admission to a high school. Rev. Dr. Subimal Dutta, the director general of Ambassadors Service Society which operates the Gilgal Children's Home, has faced threats for opposing the collection of money for idol worship at government schools or government-aided schools. In early September, the extremists stormed into the Society compound and warned Dutta to stop all Christian activities within seven days or that they would forcibly shut down the mission. They also sternly warned him that his life would be in danger if he involved police or any administrative officials.

At a meeting on September 23 with the village head, the local political party, and the Ambassadors Service Society, an agreement was reached for re-opening the Society. However, the agreement required all students at the government high school to pay the idol worship fee without complaint.

Please pray that the Lord will protect Dutta and the children he is responsible for. Pray that they will not be afraid to continue to meet together to worship Him. Pray the Lord will grant wisdom to Dutta in this difficult situation. Pray that those who oppose Christians would repent and know Christ.

For more information on India's suffering believers, please visit 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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