Three workers at a local Christian charity were allegedly attacked by members of the militant Hindu organization, Bajrang Dal, on February 26. The three members of Social and Evangelical Association for Love (SEAL) were leaving for a prayer meeting when they were mercilessly beaten by a mob armed with crowbars. The three workers, Rev. K.M. Philip, Rev. Biju Samuel and Rev. Reggie Thomas, were taken to hospital to rule out internal injuries. According to reports from the All India Christian Council, local members of the Bajrang Dal have been harassing the workers since they set up the charity organization two years ago. SEAL runs a home for the destitute at Vankani village that is only two kilometres from the site of the attack. At last report, police had not registered a formal complaint for the attack.
Pray that the police will take action on behalf of these three pastors. Pray that they will experience full and swift healing in order to carry on their ministry of love. Pray that the attackers will see that the work of SEAL is a work of Christ's love and respond to Him in repentance and faith.
For more information on India and the persecution the Church there, 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.
A church in India. Photo: Flickr / Nevil Zaver (cc)
On July 30th, 2024, an amendment to Uttar Pradesh's anti-conversion legislation was passed in an effort to strengthen the state's existing laws. In particular, major changes were made to the severity of punishments imposed on convicted individuals. Since the amended law was brought into effect, a pastor and his wife were found guilty on January 22nd and sentenced to five years' imprisonment. They were also fined 25,000 rupees (about $420 CAD) each.
Kunika Kashyap was more than six months pregnant when she went to visit another Christian in her village who had been ill. While Kunika was sitting at the ailing believer's bedside, a relative of hers named Ganga Ram Kashyap began recording the pregnant Christian woman on his mobile phone, hoping to obtain video evidence of her praying.
A church in India during the Christmas season. Photo: Wikimedia / Sandipanraha (cc)
A wave of violent incidents marred Christmas celebrations across India, even as Prime Minister Modi extolled the virtues of "love" and "harmony" in his Christmas speech and social media posts. The recently occurring acts of violence against followers of Jesus, which took place in at least ten states across India, were particularly instigated by Hindu nationalist groups in their determination to rid the nation of Christian influence.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness, compassion and partnership in praying for our Christian brothers and sisters who suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness. This week's special video edition of the Persecution & Prayer Alert focusses on the importance of prayer.