Tags

India

• Christian Beaten into a Coma

   

  

  A Christian family in the village of Kodalmetla, Odisha, experienced the consequences of following Christ when they were attacked on the night of March 11th, and then again the next morning. Kama Sodi and his wife were praying together before bedtime, as was their habit, when villagers shouted death threats and then stormed into the house. Kama's wife, Bhimeshwari, was able to protect their two young children, who were pleading with the attackers to stop. The mob agreed to cease if Kama would renounce his faith in Christ and turn to their tribal religion. He refused to do so.

• Christian Symbols Removed from Cemetery

  

  A statue and crosses were removed from a Christian cemetery in Karnataka state on March 2nd by government officials after receiving complaints from non-local Hindu activists. The cemetery has been used for Christian burials for nearly 40 years without any previous problems. It has also been the location for some prayer gatherings over the years.

• Church Leader Beaten and Run Over

  

  A church leader in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, was beaten and then run over by motorcycles, leaving him seriously injured. Pastor Isaac Paulose had just dropped off his young son at school on March 4th when a motorcycle stopped in front of his car and he was ordered out of it. Ten assailants on five motorcycles then beat him with chains and rods before running over him. After the hit and run incident, he was taken to hospital with multiple fractures and head injuries.

• Church Demolition and Arrests

  

  In the early morning of March 9th, authorities ordered the destruction of a place of worship in the town of Chelur in Karnataka State. The action was taken after governing officials received pressure from Hindu militants in the area. Local Christians were able to capture the destruction on video. To view the footage, see this page.

• Children Beaten and Threatened

  

  Christians in the village of Malasamudra, Karnataka were gathered for worship in the early morning of January 19th when 20 Hindu militants from the village came up the steps and began taking photos and videos. Those gathering attempted to stop the intruders from taking pictures of the children but were pushed away. The militants then began to beat the children while restraining the adults. The mob finally left but only after issuing a warning: "If we hear that you stepped out of your homes and told anybody about this, we will set your homes on fire and burn you alive."

• Pastor Repeatedly Beaten

  

  Pastor Jai Singh was part of a house church that had gathered for worship on January 5th in the village of Bichpari when a mob of 250 to 300 people surrounded the home. He was dragged to a school where he was beaten multiple times by different groups of people before being driven to a Hindu temple and forced to sit in front of idols. By the time the abuse was finished, his garment was covered in blood. After the assault, the perpetrators took Pastor Jai to a police station where he was left in severe pain.

  Police took him to a hospital for treatment and then brought him back to the station where he, along with the owner of the house church meeting and other participants, were charged for allegedly offering money to convert people to Christianity. The pastor remained in custody until bail was granted two days later.

• "Illegal Practice of Medicine" Charges for Praying

  

  Three Christians were arrested in the village of Vadi in Madhya Pradesh on December 16th after fellow villagers accused them of practising illegal medicine. They spent 11 days in jail before being released on bail. Pastor Mukam Kiraad, along with two members of his church, Lalsingh Tomar and Nanliya Rawat, were shocked to learn they were charged with medical malpractice after praying for physical healing.

• Religious Freedoms at Risk

   

  

  As militant Hinduism takes control of local, state and federal governments in India, concerns about religious freedom have been increasing. Though India is officially secular and the world's most populous democracy, Hindu nationalism remains strong. New legislation and polices have highlighted the challenges.

• Pastor Faces Charges After Being Beaten

  

  A pastor and his family are facing police charges after Hindu militants beat them, leaving the pastor for dead. Eight assailants, including a police officer, entered the family home in Parihara, Jharkhand in the early morning of November 12th. Others joined in, beating members of the family with an axe, bamboo rods and wooden sticks. Pastor Basant Kumar Paul, who was left unconscious, sustained serious injuries all over his body. Both his mother and brother encountered head injuries, and his wife suffered internal injuries. In addition, the pastoring couple's 20-year-old son required a knee transplant.

• Five Released from Prison

   

  

  In 2008, the Indian state of Odisha (formerly known as Orissa) erupted in religious violence after the assassination of a popular Hindu swami. Though Maoist rebels claimed responsibility, blame was quickly placed on Christians in the area. In the days and weeks that followed, hundreds of Christians were massacred and thousands displaced due to mob violence. Over the years, the Voice of the Martyrs Canada has been providing support for many children whose parents were killed in the attacks.