Three years ago, a prayer hall was built in the slum area of Panamvilla village in Trivandrum, Kerala State, India. Other than the twelve believers who meet there, the rest of the community is either Hindu or Muslim.
Pastor Paul Ciniraj Mohammed Photo from Salem Voice
Speaking to Compass Direct, the pastor, Paul Ciniraj Mohammed, said that, while there have been negative comments about the prayer hall, there had been no incidents of violence until a baptism ceremony was held on April 1. Twenty-six adults from different villages were baptized in the early-morning service. Later that day, a group of villagers comprised of both Hindus and Muslims attacked three of the church members praying in the hall. After the assault, a fire was set to the hall, completely destroying the building. Two days later, Pastor Ciniraj and his assistant were also assaulted. Christian leaders in the area attribute the attack to an increasing presence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu activist group.
Pray for the recovery of those attacked. Pray for the continued ministry of the Christians in Panamvilla in the wake of this attack. Pray that those who have recently decided to follow Christ may be courageous and stand in God's grace in the face of opposition.
For more information on persecution facing Christians in India, click here.
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.”
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.
In October 2021, Pastor Nandan Singh was gathered with 25 other Christians for an all-night prayer meeting when militant Hindus, primarily from nearby villages, stormed into his home. Accused of converting people to Christianity, Pastor Nandan became the first individual to be charged under Uttarakhand's anti-conversion legislation.
The Supreme Court of India. Photo: Wikimedia / Subhashish Panigrahi (cc)
The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a series of petitions challenging the constitutionality of anti-conversion laws enacted by several of the country's states. On September 16th, the court issued notices to the respective state governments, requesting their formal responses within four weeks. The case is scheduled to be heard in six weeks, and the judges have indicated that they may consider ordering the states to pause the enforcement of their existing laws until a decision is made.
A church in India. Photo: Flickr / Ashish Kumar Milap (cc)
Recent developments in two Indian states have raised serious concerns for Christians, particularly in relation to the newly heightened restrictions on religious conversions. In the first incident, police in Chhattisgarh notified more than 200 house churches around the state capital city of Raipur that worship gatherings within private homes are no longer permitted.
A screenshot of people disrupting the service in Bhilai. Photo: Morning Star News
On July 20th, six pastors were arrested after a mob disrupted a church service in Bhilai, a city located within the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The assailants chanted Hindu slogans and accused the pastors of engaging in forcible conversions. As the mob grew increasingly vocal, shouting obscenities and threatening violence, Pastor Baksh locked the church doors to protect his congregation members.
Population
