The worldwide attention that was focused on India towards the end of 2008, plus of course the prayers of God’s faithful people, helped ensure that Christians in India enjoyed a relatively peaceful Christmas. This is not to say that persecution of Christians has stopped. Far from it. The news reports below indicate that persecution still exists. God’s children in this country remain in need of our earnest prayers.
The 'good news' first ...
1 January, 2009: ‘India’s Christians relieved at peaceful Christmas.’
India (MNN) ― After a violence-free Christmas in the eastern state of Orissa, Dave Stravers with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India says, "It really does illustrate that there is collusion between official forces and these armed bands."
A bold statement, but nothing new. The threat of a strike on Christmas Day was met by the threat of arrest, and the extremists backed down. Stravers says, "What Christians have been saying all along is that police officials and local and state authorities either encouraged or permitted these extremists to do their worst."
The Hindu nationalistic rampages were frequent and violent, beginning August 24. Violence erupted a day after Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a Hindu spiritual leader, and four associates were gunned down in the district.
Although a Maoist rebel group later claimed responsibility, that did nothing to lessen the severity of the pogrom. Hundreds of Christians died, and thousands more were displaced from their homes. Hindu extremists razed Christian businesses, churches, and houses before the brutality began to abate.
As Christmas approached, extremists began threatening again, and this time, the government could not turn a blind eye. State and the federal governments responded.
Stravers says God answered prayer this way. "There was worldwide attention drawn to what happened. This is really a black eye for India, which claims to be a secular democracy, allowing freedom of religion. I think the embarrassment really stimulated the government to say 'We just can't allow this to happen again.'"
Despite opposition in states with anti-conversion laws on the books, many are responding to the message of the Gospel. The director of one relief camp in Orissa told Mission India's team that the most important thing they could do would be to equip believers so they will be able to stand strong in adversity.
Keep praying because thousands more like them are responding to the Gospel. "Evangelistic work continues to grow and accelerate dramatically. There is no doubt in our minds that we're going to see, when we get done counting, there will be more than a million new believers just from the work of Mission India in India over the past year."
[ http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12100 ]
Now for the bad news ...
FURTHER PERSECUTION
January 07, 2009: ‘Four Christians arrested in Madhya Pradesh’
Police arrested four Christians on false charges of forcible conversion in the village of Kushalpura, Madhya Pradesh, India on January 5. At approximately 10:00 a.m., Pastor Kantilal Bhuria (35) went to the home of a local Christian where 25 believers were gathered for prayer. During the service, a mob of Hindu militants barged into the house and accused Pastor Bhuria of forcibly converting Hindus. The militants verbally abused those present and beat a Christian woman. The police arrived on scene after receiving a phone call from the attackers and arrested four believers. At last report, these Christians remained in detention.
Pray for the release of these Christians. Ask God to give them and other suffering believers in India grace, wisdom and endurance as they serve Him (1 Peter 5:10).
January 14, 2009: ‘Christians targeted in Karnataka’
The Karnataka High Court has reopened approximately 12 churches that were closed down by the Deputy Commissioner of Davangere district, Karnataka, India in early September due to claims that forcible conversions were taking place. However, VOMC continues to receive reports of Christians facing threats and violent attacks from Hindu militants in the state.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on January 9, police officials disrupted a weekly prayer meeting held in the home of Pastor Iswar Albannavar (30) and his wife, Renuka Iswar Albannavar (26), in Gangavadi, Belgaum district and accused the couple of forcible conversion. The police confiscated Bibles and hymnals and took several believers to the police station. Although the Christians stated that they were not coerced into attending the meeting, Pastor Albannavar and another believer were charged with "promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion ... and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony." At last report, the two Christians remained in detention.
Praise God that the churches in Davangere district have been reopened. Ask God to enable Pastor Albannavar and other Christian leaders in India to be faithful examples to their flocks throughout times of suffering (1 Peter 5:2-3).
January 14, 2009: ‘Update: Relief camps closed down in Orissa’
Government authorities have shut down relief camps in Orissa, India, forcing the thousands of Christians displaced by the wave of violence that began in August to flee without adequate protection against further attacks or compensation for damages sustained. Many of the believers were threatened with violence while in the camps and fear further attacks if they return to their homes, many of which have not been rebuilt. Officials are providing some of the refugees with 10,000 rupees (approximately $200 CAD). However, the sum is inadequate to meet the believers' long-term needs and it is unlikely that many will be able to secure employment, as local Hindus often refuse to hire Christians.
January 15, 2009: ‘Pastor attacked in Orissa and purification after dalit minister's visit to temple’
An independent Pastor Rama Chandra Sahu of a Church at Dingara village of Begunia Block under Khurda District was severely beaten by three Hindu radicals identified as Nila Samantaray, Mitu Samataray, and Bashanta Khuntia on the road at a market place on 13.01.09 at about 7 PM for no cause but he only being a Christian and they hate Christians. They went to Begunia PS and filed a false case against him alleging that the Pastor has beaten them and snatched Rs. 7000/- from them forcefully. Then they came and hit him on the road. As a result, when Pastor with injuries went to the same PS for complain,m he was arrested and kept in the custody for 24 hours. Yesterday night only after our intervention, the matter could be resolved in the concerned PS. for which the tormentors signed a bond for not to commit the same mistake again and a compromise to that light was made among both the parties and the Pastor was released from there. Now he is under treatment at the local hospital.
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