Pastor Manju, an outspoken leader and prominent advocate for Christian rights in India, pastored churches in two different villages within Chhattisgarh State. Sadly, Pastor Manju suffered a heart attack on August 28th and suddenly passed away, leaving his surviving wife, daughter and two sons grief-stricken and in a state of shock.
The next morning, his grieving family and church members gathered for the funeral service, where they were joined by ten other pastors from outside their community. However, the service was suddenly interrupted when a group of villagers refused to allow the pastor's body to be buried in the local cemetery. After pleas from Pastor Manju's family, the villagers agreed to the burial if a fine of approximately $3,200 CAD was paid. In addition, the family was asked to participate in a ghar wapsi ritual – a ceremony that would symbolize the Christians' conversion to Hinduism.
When local police arrived to deal with the situation, the officers concurred with the villagers' demands – stating that those living within a village must comply with the rules of that village. They warned the visiting pastors to leave if they did not agree with the conditions. Ignoring pleas from the church leaders, who made valid arguments about religious freedom, the officers chased the pastors away. Without any help from the authorities, or the supportive presence of the ousted pastors, Pastor Manju's wife and children were forced to participate in the village's Hindu ceremony, and the church leader's body was buried with non-Christian rites.
While arrests and violence frequently occur in India when Christians are accused of conducting "forcible conversions," the same conditions do not apply when followers of Jesus are pressured to convert to Hinduism. For instance, in early August, a similar incident took place in Odisha State involving the forced conversions of over 100 tribal Christians. (A report of the situation can be reviewed here.) For further information on the persecution of our Indian brothers and sisters in Christ, go to our country report.
Please prayerfully uphold Pastor Manju's family and congregation members as they grieve the loss of this dear husband, father and church leader. May they tangibly sense God's love, comfort and strength as they now cope with the emotional distress of not only their sudden loss but also the recent circumstances involving the burial service. As a result, may this deceased pastor's wife and children be fully restored in their relationship with the Lord. Overall, pray that our persecuted Christian family in India's state of Chhattisgarh will not become despondent in the face of opposition, but rather that they be divinely encouraged, empowered in their faith, and emboldened to reach out to those around them with the hope of the Gospel.
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