India: Anti-Christian violence continues
Sep 30 2008
Postings >> India

India's national government is threatening to impose emergency rule on two states unless they stop anti-Christian violence which has raged for six weeks.

The federal government issued an official warning to Orissa and Karnataka, accusing the Hindu nationalist BJP which rules both states of failing to curb the violence. Unless the two state governments take decisive action, 'President's rule' will be introduced, in accordance with Article 356 of the constitution.

Hindu extremists' murderous rampage has now spread to six states: Christians in Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand have also now been targeted.

On just one day, September 20, a Christian man was hacked to death by militants as he tried to reach a relief camp in the town of Phulbani in Orissa's Kandhamal district. And in Karnataka, militants ransacked four churches, three in the city of Bangalore and one in Kodagu district. And seven Christians were accused of 'forced conversion' in Thalikare.

Looting, arson, forced conversions to Hinduism and even murders continue to be reported.
The situation is now 'getting out of hand', according to the All India Christian Council.

On September 20, Christians were joined by politicians from several different parties at a protest rally in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, condemning the violence.

Hindu extremists launched their anti-Christian campaign after one of their spiritual leaders Laxmanananda Saraswati was murdered in August (7x7, 16 September 2008). Hindus have blamed Christians for his death, even after Maoists admitted responsibility.

(Sources: All India Christian Council, Compass Direct, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada)

Continue to pray for the return of law and order across India. Pray that governments of affected states will take firm action to protect Christians.

Pray that this violence will help highlight the plight of India's persecuted Christians and make it more difficult for militants to attack with impunity.