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India
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Christian Family Attacked by Hindu Militants in Madhya Pradesh
Hindu militants attacked and severely injured the grandparents and aunt of a 15-year-old girl in the village of Bahera, Madhya Pradesh when the Christian family stopped the mob from raping her, according to a March 27 report from Compass Direct. On March 22, nine Hindu militants demanded that the father of the girl, Brij Gopal Saket, turn over his daughter, Urmila, so that they could abuse her. Saket refused to hand her over and locked himself, his wife and daughter inside their home. The militants, who had reportedly threatened other local Christians with violence for worshipping Christ, then grabbed Saket's parents and his sister who were outside the house and beat them with rods, sticks and stones.
Pray for the healing for Urmila and her injured family members. Pray that, in their sufferings, they will find strength in Christ (2 Cor. 1:3-5).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
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Christian Couple under House Arrest in Srinagar
Peerzada Shakeel, a convert to Christianity from Islam was arrested along with his wife, Arifa, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on charges of forcible conversion on March 26, according to a March 31 report from Compass Direct. On March 21, local Muslims broke into Shakeel's house and beat him. They dragged him to a mosque where they beat him again when he told them he would worship only Christ. Shakeel's father, a local mosque member, then brought false charges of forced conversions against him because he refused to deny Christ.
Shakeel and his wife were arrested and taken to a police station at Sonwar, Srinagar. Although the couple was released on bail the following day, they remain under house arrest. Shakeel has faced severe opposition from his family and community since he became a Christian in 2006.
Pray that Shakeel and Arifa will not give in to fear but be enabled by God to stand in His grace and remain faithful in the face of societal rejection and hostility for their Christian faith (1 Peter 5:10-12).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
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Two Nuns Attacked in Alibaug
Sister Mercy Tuscano and Sister Philomena D'Mello were attacked by approximately 50 Hindu assailants on March 23 in the town of Alibaug, Maharashtra for allegedly converting tribal groups to Christianity. The nuns were injured in the attack by the mob, which included women, who are followers of a spiritual leader in the area. Both nuns were treated in hospital and have since been released. They are members of a non-governmental organization that extends humanitarian services such as AIDS awareness to tribal groups in the region.
Pray for the recovery of the two nuns from their injuries. Ask the Lord to strengthen Indian Christians to continue serving the Lord despite pressure for their faith (1 Peter 5:10).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to the India Country Report. To view a video report on this incident, click here.
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New Anti-Conversion Bill Passed in Rajasthan
On March 20, the governing Bharatiya Janata Party in Rajasthan state passed a new "anti-conversion" bill that has stricter provisions than the previous bill that was passed in 2006 (click here for more details). The new bill states that a society or trust found to be "contemplating" the use of money for converting people can have its registration canceled. Christians fear that this stipulation will provide the pretext for numerous complaints against Christian organizations. The bill also dictates that any person who intends to convert must send a notice to the government at least 30 days in advance or face a fine of up to 1,000 rupees (CAD $25).For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
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Christians Continue to Face Abuse
The Voice of the Martyrs continues to receive numerous reports each week of Christians facing charges and abuse for their evangelistic activities in India.Pastor Nagaraj from the village of Srirampura, Karnataka has had a complaint formally lodged against him for converting Hindus. On March 4, he and his wife were beaten by a Hindu mob. He was then taken by force to the local police station where he was detained until the next day.
Forty-one year old Vijay Burman converted to Christ 14 years ago. On February 29, Bajrang Dal and Dharma Sena activists lodged a written complaint against him that he is converting people by promising good jobs to anyone who turns away from Hinduism. Those who live near him in say that this accusation is completely false. Such accusations are commonly made against those who are involved in evangelistic work in India.
Remember to pray for the continuing evangelistic ministry of Christians in India. Pray that the Word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honoured, and that those who share the Good News may be delivered from wicked and evil men (2 Thess. 3:1-2).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report. Video reports are also available on www.vomcanada.com.
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Update on Orissa
All India Christian Council (AICC) reported this week that Christian leaders in Orissa continue to tell of scattered cases of discrimination two months after the major violence that broke out against Christians in the state. Numerous reports are surfacing of unfair treatment by government assessors who refuse to give the promised compensation to those who lost their homes. Moreover, a case filed in the Orissa High Court by Archbishop R. Cheenath to rebuild Catholic churches and institutions was rejected. The Orissa government also continues to ban direct assistance to victims by non-governmental groups. According to AICC, between December 24, 2007 and the end of January 2008, approximately 1000 Christian homes were attacked and set on fire, about 35 Christian shops vandalized, and 95 churches destroyed (for more information on these attacks, including photos, click here.)
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
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Christian Leader Beaten in Madhya Pradesh
On February 27, Dr. Robin Singh, a physician and Christian leader in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh was beaten by Hindu militants for providing legal and administrative support to the Christians attacked by militants on February 22 (click here for more details), according to a March 3 report from Compass Direct. The militants punched him and hit him with wooden sticks. They also vandalized his clinic and destroyed all the medicines and the reception area.As the president of the Balaghat Christian Association, Dr. Singh has been active in representing Christian concerns before the local authorities. The attack, however, has left him shaken and caused him to reconsider his leadership position.
Pray for healing for Dr. Singh. Ask God to embolden him to remain steadfast in the face of persecution and suffering for the sake of Christ (Rev. 2:10).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
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Attacks on Christians in Madhya Pradesh
There were at least two attacks on Christians by Hindu militants in Madhya Pradesh in recent weeks, according to a February 25 report from Compass Direct.On February 22, Hindu militants forcibly entered a local Christian's home in the district of Balaghat where a group of Christians were gathered together for worship. The militants shouted "Stop conversions" at one of the men present and dragged him outside. When another believer tried to come to the man's aid, the militants also dragged him outside, where 15-20 militants were waiting. The mob beat the two men along with three other believers with bamboo poles, rods and belts. Both men sustained internal injuries. Later the militants took some of the Christians to the local police station where they accused them of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity.
At approximately 2:30 p.m. on February 24, a mob of at least 125 Hindu militants forcibly entered the compound of the Masihi Mandir Church in the Chawani area of Indore while 15 Christians were preparing to begin a worship service. The militants beat drums and shouted slogans such as, "He who talks in favor of only Hindus will rule the nation," and "Stop conversions." When the believers vacated the building and locked it, the mob shattered the windows and destroyed a cross on the lawn. A Christian college student was severely beaten while trying to flee the scene. During the attack, the militants apparently voiced plans to set the church building on fire, but when the police arrived they were able to stop them from causing further damage.
Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks. Pray that those who accuse Christians of forcible conversion will be silenced. Ask God to enable Christians in India to grow in Christlikeness through their trials (James 1:2-4).
For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report. VOMC has a number of video reports on the persecution of Christians in India on our multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.
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Pastor Beaten
Pastor Abraham (70) and several of his family members were beaten by militants while they were preparing for a weekly prayer meeting in the village of Tharamangalam, Tamil Nadu on the morning of January 18. At approximately 10:00 a.m., a group of local Hindus armed with rods and stones barged into Pastor Abraham's house, which is also used as a church building, and beat him, his wife and five children. When the pastor went to the police station for help, several other Christians arrived at his home to attend the scheduled meeting and were attacked by the militants. Several of the beaten believers were hospitalized with serious injuries.
Pray for healing for those injured in this attack. Pray that Christians in India will continue to give themselves fully to the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
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Christians Attacked by Hindu Militants in Chhattisgarh
Several Christians were injured in two separate attacks over the past week in Chhattisgarh state, according to a January 18 report from Compass Direct.On January 16, Hindu militants attacked a large group of believers who were meeting together in a makeshift structure in the Durg district. The militants beat several believers and local villagers present, injuring at least 80 people. The militants also vandalized the structure.
On January 17, a mob of Hindus attacked a missionary health camp in the Dhamtari district. The militants accused the Christians of participating in a conversion ceremony and beat and injured at least a dozen believers.
Ask God to give healing to those injured in the attacks. Pray that Christians in India will put their hope in the Lord as the One who upholds their cause (Psalm 146). Pray that their faithfulness will be a light that draws others to Christ (Matthew 5:14-16).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report. Check out our video reports on India on www.vomcanada.com.
