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.
One of the imprisoned individuals. Photo: Morning Star News
On June 12th, seven Christians – at least six of whom are pastors – were convicted under the anti-conversion laws of Madhya Pradesh state and sentenced to five years in prison, along with orders that each one of them also pay a substantial fine. The allegations relate to a social event that took place in June of 2024 when the accused believers had attended a child's birthday party. (For more details regarding this case, see our previous report.)
A village in India. Photo: Flickr / Rakshit Pandey (CC)
The state government of Maharashtra has ordered an audit of all land and properties owned by Christian churches and charities following allegations that some have been misused for private or commercial purposes. The decision was made following a case of alleged fraud involving a Christian organization in the state's Nashik region, where parcels of church-owned land were reportedly leased or sold using forged ownership records.
Arun Pannalal is a 75-year-old church leader who serves as president of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum. On August 7th, he was arrested after being accused of posting a comment on social media that allegedly offended the religious sentiments of Hindus. The comment was reportedly made in response to an existing Facebook post.
In the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, Christians have been facing ongoing intimidation and violence from militants with apparent ties to the Hindu nationalist organization, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).
Population
