Release International

A pastor and two other Christians who were attacked by extremists have been charged with 'outraging the religious feelings' of others.

Pastor Dilip Chakravarty, Ganga Ram and Shankar Lal of the Church of God in Chhattisgarh have been held at Dhamtari district jail since police arrested them on August 29.

Police officers were acting on a complaint made by Hindu extremists who accused the Christians of 'forcible conversion' by offering 'money and false hope'.

The extremists had already taken the law into their own hands by launching several attacks on the Christians, which had reportedly left Ganga and Shankar with fractures to their hands and legs. The extremists had also tried to force the pair to return to Hinduism.

The three Christians have now been charged with 'deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion'. Local Christian leaders strongly deny the church was involved in 'forcible conversion'.

Meanwhile, in Karnataka state, a pastor and a member of his congregation had to go to hospital with serious head and hand injuries after Hindu extremists raided their church and started beating them. About 20 extremists raided Ebenezer Assembly of God Church in Mysore district as Pastor Ravi George led worship on August 29. Pastor Ravi has since filed a complaint with police.

(Source: Compass Direct)

• Thank God for Pastors Dilip and Ravi and their churches, which are working to extend His kingdom in India. Ask God to strengthen them in their faith and witness.
• Ask God to grant wisdom to police coming under pressure from Hindu extremists to rein in church activity. Pray that police will be unbiased in upholding justice.

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