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India

• New Film Calls Missionary's Murderer a Hero

  In 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were burned to death while they slept. In September 2003, thirteen people were convicted of the murder, including a prominent militant Hindu leader, Dara Singh (for more information, see https://www.vomcanada.com/in-2003-09-17.htm).

  In October 2003, a film on the work of Staines was announced, with filming to begin in February 2004. A week later, another movie was announced, to be produced by the militant Hindu group Bajrang Dal, entitled "Dara: The Hero." While acknowledging that the actions of Dara Singh were criminal, a spokesman for Bajrang Dal, Subash Chouhan, said that Staines as a villain and the actions of Dara Singh were commendable as they relate to religious conversions. Earlier, a BJP legislator Bidhubhusan Praharaj had openly defended Dara, saying, "he is an ideological person, not a criminal. He is a protector of the Hindu community."

  An appeal of Dara's death sentence is presently pending in the Orissa High Court.

• Hindu Militants Attack Churches, Assault Nun

  A recent wave of attacks in the eastern state of Orissa, India has resulted in vandalism against church buildings, the burning of Bibles, Christian books, and an effigy of Jesus, as well as the sexual assault of a nun.

  In late November, around a dozen members of the militant Hindu movement Bajrang Dal broke into a church in Deogarh, removing hundreds of books and burning them. At last report, no one had been arrested in the incident. One of the attackers was identified as a reporter with the local Orissa daily newspaper. According to police, they were protesting the recent conversion of four families in the village of Ambulpani under the ministry of Pastor John Nayak. They also broke into Nayak's residence and vandalized it while he was away. Bajrang Dal has been implicated in the burning death of missionary Graham Staines and his two sons in January 1999.

  On November 20, Hindu militants demonstrated in front of the district governor's residence, burning an effigy of Jesus, along with Bibles and Christian literature. The mob then broke into a Catholic church in the village of Rajamunda where they smashed the windows and sexually assaulted a nun. They later went to a local magistrate, protesting the growing number of conversions in the area. They were told by the magistrate, however, that the Christians were doing nothing illegal.

  Orissa state is mostly Hindu and is ruled by the nationalist Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party, which strongly opposes the conversion of Hindus to Christianity or Buddhism. Orissa, along with two other Indian states, has anti-conversion legislation, requiring those who wish to convert from Hinduism to obtain written permission from the local magistrate.

  Pray that Indian authorities will enforce the rights of Christians and other religious minorities to freely practice their faith. Pray that many more come to Christ, despite the anti-conversion law. Pray for emotional and physical healing for the attacked nun. Pray for a peace of mind and heart for Christians throughout Orissa and other areas of India where militant groups oppose the spread of the Gospel.

• Evangelist Beaten and Refused Treatment for Converting Dalits

  Last month, an evangelist in Siddapuram, Karnataka, South India, T.J. Mathew, was returning home on his bike from the home of a fellow believer when he was attacked and beaten unconscious. According to VOM sources, when other Christians tried to take him to the local hospital, the attackers prevented them until police came and intervened. However, when he was taken to the Siddapura hospital, he was refused admittance. Mathew was then taken about one hundred kilometres away to Mysore, where he was finally treated. The attackers complained to the police that Mathew was converting Dalits (low caste Hindus) to Christianity.

  Mathew was expected to return to Siddapura on October 28 and a baptismal service is planned on November 7, when about ten converts from Hinduism are expected to be baptized.

  Pray for a full recovery for Brother Mathew and protection from further attacks. Pray that the baptismal service will continue uninterrupted. Pray for these new believers, as they take a stand for Jesus Christ, that they will have the spiritual strength to stand in the face of opposition.

• Priest Slain at Hermitage

  A Catholic priest in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, was found dead in his hermitage on October 7, apparently the victim of foul play. While not excluding disputes by neighbours, the investigation is particularly centering on threats he had recently received from militant Hindus, according to Zenit.

  Pray for safety for many Christians throughout India, where pressure by militant Hindu groups against Christians has been increasing in recent months, particularly in states where anti-conversion laws have been passed.

• Threats and Violence Follow Verdict

  With the conviction of thirteen Hindu activists in the burning death of missionary Graham Stewart Staines and his two sons in January 1999. Christians in India fear reprisals from militant Hindu groups. According to a report in the Hindustan Times on September 20, a group claiming to defend Dara Singh, who was convicted of the murders, has threatened to kill a Catholic priest in Orissa if the conviction is not overturned. Father Kuriakose received the letter after Singh and the others were convicted on September 15. Police are investigating the validity of the letter.

  In a separate incident, Mid Day Multimedia reported that Hindu activists stopped a prayer meeting in Borivali, India on September 18, driving at least 100 Christians out and locking the hall. The Hindus claimed that the Christians were planning to convert people to Christianity during the meeting, accusing them of using money as inducements for conversion. According to police, they have received complaints from both the Christians and the Hindus and are investigating.

  Pray for inner peace for Christians in India during this time of tension. Pray that violence will not continue and that there might be continued opportunities for Christians to show the love of Christ to their Hindu neighbors.

• Thirteen Convictions in Burning Death of Missionary

  There are fears of violence and repercussions against Christians in India after the conviction of thirteen militant Hindus on September 15, including a popular Hindu activist. The men were convicted of the deaths of Graham Stewart Staines and his sons Philip, 10, and Timothy, 8, in January 1999 when a mob burned their vehicle while they slept outside a church in Manoharpur, in eastern India's Orissa state. Sentences will be handed down on September 22 and may include the death penalty. The man accused of leading the mob, Dara Singh, was considered a hero by many and was hidden by supporters for over a year after the attack before he was finally arrested. After the verdict was announced, Staines' widow and brother both expressed their forgiveness of the men.

  Join with the Indian church in praying for those convicted, that they might yield to the conviction of God's Spirit and seek His forgiveness. Pray that violence will not erupt in response to the verdict. Pray for Gladys Staines, who continued her ministry to the lepers of Orissa after the death of her husband and sons.

• Villagers Beaten For Building a Church

  In the village of Sudsudia in the Maurbhanj district of Orissa, India, Baidhar Bindhani was building a church on land he owned, with the help of other Christians. Tensions flared because local Hindus felt it was too close to a temple, which was 200 metres away. According to a report from Indo-Asian News Service, a mob of five hundred people attacked the villagers, beating them, forcing them to beg forgiveness and bow their heads before Hindu deities. Police have been patrolling the village to help prevent further violence.

  Pray for Bindhani and other Christians in Sudsudia. Pray for a heart of compassion and love for those around them who are without Christ, in spite of the persecution they have faced. Pray for a peaceful resolution to this issue.

• Conversion Law Withstands Court Challenge in Gujarat

  On March 26, the state of Gujarat passed legislation outlawing religious conversion. Court challenges were filed against the new law by religious minority groups. On June 31, the Gujarat High Court dismissed the two writs, one from the All India Christian Council and the other from a Buddhist organization. Pray that Christians will continue to preach the Gospel throughout India and that many will drawn to faith in Christ.

• One Killed; Another Wounded in Grenade Attack

  One teacher was killed and another wounded on May 22 when a grenade was thrown at the gates of Saint Lukes Convent School in Nai Basti, 50 kilometres from Srinagar, the capital of the troubled state of Kashmir. Two women, Sister Kamlesh and Sister Mary Sipkota, both from West Bengal, were injured and taken to hospital. On route, Kamlesh died of her injuries. There have been no arrests, though militant Islamic groups are suspected to be responsible. Muslim clergy and militant Islamic groups in the area have been speaking out against Christians lately because of reports of up to 20,000 converts to Christianity in the past eight years.

  Sipkota told The Indian Express, "We left our campus at St. Lukes at around 7:15 p.m. to go to a phone booth. We wanted to call our homes in West Bengal and just then a grenade hit us from nowhere."

  Pray for a quick and full healing for Sister Mary Sipkota. Pray for other Christians serving in this predominantly Muslim area of India. Pray for protection and the ability to minister effectively in the name of Christ, exhibiting His love and truth to those who oppose Him.

• Anti-Conversion Law Faces Challenges

  The controversial anti-conversion law passed on March 26 in the state of Gujarat has not yet been officially declared law and may yet face revisions, according to news reports received this week by The Voice of the Martyrs.

  According to an article in the Times of India on April 4, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has directed the Gujarat government to delete a clause requiring permission from a District Magistrate before any conversion. According to the NCM Chairman, Tarlochan Singh, none of the other states where similar legislation has been passed has a similar requirement. He added, "This clause is in violation of fundamental rights of a citizen ensured in [sic] country's Constitution."

  If the contested clause remains, the Times of India also reports that the state government may incorporate a clause into the Bill that will allow Hindus to convert to Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, and vice-versa, without seeking any permission.

  Though passed by the state assembly, as of last report, the bill had still not been signed into law by Gujarat Governor S. S. Bhandari. There is speculation on the cause, but the governor is under strong pressure, particularly from Christian groups in India.

  Meanwhile, a petition by the All India Christian Council against the bill was rejected by the Gujarat High Court since the bill was not yet law. The Chief Justice of the High Court J. N. Bhatt ruled that it can be challenged only after the governor signs the bill into law.

  Pray that this bill will not be signed into law. Pray that similar laws in Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Tamil Nadu will be overturned and that there will be freedom of faith and conscience throughout India.