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India

• EMI Licenses Temporarily Restored

  EMI Founder M. A. Thomas and president Dr. Samuel Thomas

  Since troubles began for the Emmanuel Mission International in the Kota district of the Indian state of Rajasthan in February, their bank accounts have been frozen and their licenses to operate five institutions were also revoked. Recently, the government has also attempted to take over running the organizations. However, a ruling from the Rajasthan High Court on June 28 has temporarily restored the licenses along with access to the bank accounts. Judges were set to review the decision at a judicial hearing on July 4. No news is yet available on decisions made. The Kota Registrar of Societies was been ordered to show cause for revoking the licenses at the hearing. Pray that the licenses will be permanently restored and that EMI will be able to continue their ministry throughout India.
• Militants Attempt to Burn Pastor to Death in Church Assault

  As many as twenty Indian militants interrupted the worship service at the Hossana Church in Kosa Nala, Chhattisgarh on June 18, according to a June 22 report from Compass Direct. The intruders grabbed the Bible of Pastor David Raj as he was preaching and began beating him. The mob also assaulted Raj's wife and some of the church members. The attackers then placed a rubber tire around Raj's neck and attempted to burn him to death. When they were unsuccessful in lighting the tire, they beat him some more and then turned him over to the police.

  Raj and his wife have both been arrested on charges of deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings and promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion. They were also charged with attempted forced conversion.

  According to local sources, the charges arise from statements signed by two of the women in the church. The women thought they were signing statements that they had been in the church that morning. Instead, the statements claim the two were offered cash and a motorcycle if they would convert to Christianity. Such allegations against an extremely poor pastor and his wife are considered preposterous.

  Three of the assailants were arrested for their part in the attack but were immediately granted bail.

  Pray that all charges against Pastor Raj and his wife will be dropped. Pray that they will be protected from every plan to harm them and that God will bring about justice in this situation (Psalm 140). Pray that they will confidently entrust themselves to Christ so that they may preach the gospel without hesitation (2 Timothy 1:7-12). Pray that the attackers will see that the message Pastor Raj proclaims is one of a free gift, not coercion, and respond in faith to Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here. To see the latest video report on the persecution in India, go to https://www.vomcanada.com/. The June edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter focuses on India. The feature article is available online to those who subscribe to this free monthly publication. Go to our newsletter page (Sorry, Canadian mailing addresses only).

• Pastor Beaten While Police Watch

  An independent pastor in the district of Devangere in the Indian state of Karnataka was severely beaten by militant Hindus on June 11, according to a June 15 report from Compass Direct. Pastor Sundar Rao was holding a prayer meeting in his sister's home when as many as 150 people surrounded the house. As he attempted to leave the meeting, Rao was dragged to the local police station where he was forced to sign a blank paper. They also told Rao that the land he had purchased for a church building would be used for a Hindu temple instead.

  While at the police station, some of the militants beat the pastor as police merely looked on and said nothing. Around midnight, the police apparently asked Rao to leave the station. He refused, knowing the mob was waiting outside for him. At 3:30 the following afternoon, the police released him without offering any protection. The crowd outside the station severely beat him. Even after he managed to get on a bus, the crowd stopped the bus and resumed their abuse. Rao was hospitalized with internal injuries and multiple contusions.

  When Rao's wife went to the police station the next day, June 13, the police refused to accept a formal complaint. Having no other alternative, she traveled to the police district headquarters in Devangere where she was able to file her complaint. At last report, there have been no arrests.

  Ask God to bring about justice in this case. Pray that the perpetrators of this crime will be arrested. Pray that the Lord will give Pastor Rao a speedy recovery.

  For more information on India and the persecution facing Christians there,click here. The June edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter features the persecution of Christians in India. The feature article is available online to those who subscribe. Go to our newsletter page to subscribe.

• Rape Victims Accused of Forcible Conversion

  On May 28, two Christian women were gang raped after the husband of one of them refused to deny Christ (click here for more details). Last week, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported that all Christians in the region were being ordered to renounce their faith or leave (to read more, click here). According to a June 20 report from Compass Direct, a complaint has now been filed against the women alleging that they were involved in forcible conversion of Hindus. An observer from the National Commission for Minorities investigating the incident believes that the administration allowed the forcible conversion complaint to be filed in order to protect the alleged rapists. Though the women have named their attackers, no arrests have been made.

• Government to Take Over EMI Institutions

  Founder M. A. Thomas and president Dr. Samuel Thomas

  On June 14, the Rajasthan state government announced plans to take control of five institutions operated by the Emmanuel Mission International (EMI). Licenses to operate the facilities were suspended earlier following protests against the Christian organization. An appeal of those suspensions was dismissed by the state's High Court on June 13. EMI has been meeting the physical and educational needs more than 10,000 children through a variety of orphanages and schools. Problems for EMI began in February, after a book was found on a book rack which allegedly ridiculed Hindu gods (click here to read more).
• More Details on Pastor's Murder

  More details have come to light about the murder of Pastor Prem Kumar on June 8 (click here for the story). According to VOMC sources in India, four men with blood stains on their clothing came to a hotel in Rampur following the murder. When the owner of the hotel noticed the stains, he closed the hotel. Police are looking for the four men as well as the hotel owner.

  It also appears the murder may be linked to Kumar's daughter-in-law, who is a converted Christian from a family with ties to the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Local landlords and villagers were reportedly annoyed that she had been sharing her faith with her family and leading some to faith in Christ.

• Pastor Brutally Killed

  Early on June 8, Pastor Prem Kumar (67) was asked to lead a prayer service in the village of Rampur Thanda in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh later that day. Kumar suspected possible foul play but agreed and asked his son, Sunil, to call his mobile phone every thirty minutes. When he arrived to be picked up at the agreed upon place, he was met by a group of strangers. His suspicions further aroused, he called his son and again asked him to call often.

  Three hours later, Prem Kumar's mobile phone went dead. That evening, when there was still no contact, family members began searching for him. His body was found in the forest near Rampur Thanda.  His head had been smashed with stones beyond recognition.

  Investigating police are denying any religious motivation for the attack, saying the motive was a personal rivalry. However, Sunil said that his father had no enemies and strongly suspects Hindu militants. A number of similar incidents have taken place in recent years in Andhra Pradesh and religious tensions in the state are said to be high.

  Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill the hearts of Kumar's family members with the joy that comes from knowing that they will see him again at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Pray that the Lord will be exalted through this tragedy and that people will be drawn to Him (Philippians 1:20). Ask God to bring about true justice in the murder of Pastor Kumar. Also pray that there will be no further incidents of violence against God's people in this region.

  Religious persecution of Christians is increasing in many areas of India. Information is available at India's Country Report.

• Forced Confession Leads to Charges

  According to a June 9 report from Compass Direct, police in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh raided the home of Meera Bai (52) on June 6 after coercing a complaint from her neighbour.

  Meera Bai was entertaining guests when as many as twenty-five police officers burst into her home. They confiscated Bibles and pictures of Jesus and then took Bai, her son and two guests to the police station. There she was met by a large crowd of members of Dharma Sena, a militant Hindu organization, who shouted threats and anti-Christian slogans. Police forced the Christians to sign blank pieces of paper. Bai was then charged under the state's anti-conversion legislation and released on bail.

  After Bai returned home, a nineteen-year-old neighbour confessed that police and Dharma Sena members had forced him to come to the police station and sign a statement that Bai had offered him 2000 rupees ($48 CAD) each month if he would convert to Christianity. It was on the basis of this forced statement that Bai was charged.

  Pray that Bai will find her strength in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Pray that there will be a strong testimony of God's grace in the community. Pray that Sukhdev will see the character of Christ in Bai and be drawn to a personal relationship with Him (Matthew 5:16).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here. The June edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter features the persecution of Christians in India. The feature article is available online to those who subscribe. Go to our Newsletter page.

• Rajasthan's Anti-Conversion Legislation Resent to Governor

  Rajasthan's governor, Pratibha Patil

  On May 19, the governor of Rajasthan took the unprecedented act of refusing to sign anti-conversion legislation into law (see click here). The governor, Pratibha Patil, believed that the legislation would violate religious freedom. This past week, the government re-sent the legislation to the governor for her signature. If Governor Patil again refuses to sign, the bill will be referred to India's president, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. Pray that Governor Patil will have the courage to again refuse to sign this legislation.
• Update on Rape Case

  Last week's Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the rape of two Christian women after the husband of one refused to recant his faith in Christ (click here for the story). According to a June 9 report from Compass Direct, pressure is mounting on the Christians in area. The head of twelve villages, including Nadia where the women were raped, is demanding that all Christians renounce their faith in Christ or leave the area. Furthermore, Pandya Patel declared that anyone who speaks to the police about him or about the rapes, regardless of their religion, will be expelled from the area.

  Attempts to silence reports about the rapes have expanded into official circles as well. On June 5, Indira Iyengar, a member of the Madhya Pradesh State Minorities Commission, brought the rape victims to the state capital to meet the governor. A press conference was also called to highlight the incident, but members of the militant organization Bajrang Dal disrupted the press conference and warned Iyengar not to accuse them of attacking Christians. Iyengar has now been ordered to give justification as to why she should not be removed from the commission for holding a press conference without approval of the commission chair.