On September 27, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the September 22 arrest of two believers, Lakhan Pawar and Shailendra Pawar, on charges of insulting Hinduism (for more information, click here). The Evangelical Fellowship of India has since reported that the two were released on bail on September 25. However, the police report also names two others, Dr. Victor Choudhary and his daughter Manjula, as being involved in "conversion work." Continue to pray for the safety of these four believers.
Evangelists Released on Bail
India Information
- Current Ministry Projects
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.”
Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defense, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry, Medical Fund
- Country Information
Population
1,399,179,585 (2023 est.)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 republicLegal 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.
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India News
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Christians Injured in Church Attack
A village in Chhattisgarh.
Photo: Flickr / United Nations Development Programme (CC)More than 25 Christians – including children and elderly believers – were injured when a worship service was violently disrupted by Hindu nationalists on May 31st. The attack occurred in the village of Sadrapal, which is located within Chhattisgarh State, as more than 60 Christians gathered for worship. Among those injured were Pastor Hunga Mandavi and his pregnant wife. During the assault, the attackers demanded that the congregants renounce their faith in Christ.
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Christian Families Denied Access to Basic Resources
People drawing water in Chhattisgarh.
Photo: Unsplash / Wietse JongsmaMore than 180 Christian families from 32 villages in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh have reportedly been denied access to communal water supplies and livelihood opportunities for refusing to renounce their faith in Jesus.
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Increased Harassment Since New Anti-Conversion Laws
Photo: VOMC On the morning of May 10th, members of a Hindu nationalist organization travelled to disrupt several worship services in the city of Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, where they verbally confronted the churches' pastors and demanded to see their identification papers. In some cases, police were also present to monitor the situation.
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Harsh Anti-Conversion Laws in Chhattisgarh
A pastor is sharing the Gospel in India.
Photo: VOM InternationalWhile many Indian states have instituted laws aimed at preventing coerced or forced religious conversions, the newly passed legislation in Chhattisgarh is notably more severe. Signed into effect by the governor on April 7th, the recently implemented law replaces a 1968 statute that Christian leaders say was frequently used as a weapon against minority communities.
