India: Christians Face Beatings, Threats

Local missionaries have faced much opposition from radical Hindus in recent months, according to an indigenous ministry supported by Christian Aid.  

Violent attacks against gospel workers have been frequent, especially in the south-central states of Andhra and Orissa. Repeatedly, Christian leaders have been beaten, sometimes with iron rods, bicycle chains and sticks, for preaching the gospel.

One missionary, who had been violently attacked twice before, was preaching in a village when Hindu extremists surrounded him and beat him so badly he had to be hospitalized.

Another indigenous missionary was dragged from his house by fanatics and tortured for his Christian faith.  A group of four pastors were forcibly taken from a gospel crusade they were leading and beaten with stones by the roadside. They were recently released from the hospital, having recovered from their injuries.

From the state of Orissa come reports of seven believers being arrested under false allegations while meeting together one Sunday morning. After three weeks in jail, they were released upon paying heavy bail fines.

In another Orissa village, Hindu extremists torched the houses of two believers while they were absent, destroying most of their property.

Missionaries have seen this kind of antagonism in many places they visit to spread the word of God. They report that anti-Christian groups frequently burn Bibles and gospel tracts that are distributed. Gospel workers are often threatened with violence if they ever to return to speak of Christ.

This opposition comes mainly from militant Hindu groups that have been intensifying attacks on Christians lately. Moderate Hindus tend to be very tolerant of Christians and favor religious freedom, as did Gandhi.

In the face of increased opposition, native missionaries have not ceased to preach the gospel of Christ. Please pray for their protection and perseverance. For more information on indigenous ministries in India, write insider@christianaid.org and put MI-529 600-PERS on the subject line.