Release International

Hindu militants are said to be offering rewards for killing Christians in Orissa – as Hindu politicians turn up the pressure on Christians with talk of a national anti-conversion law.

The All India Christian Council, a Release partner, says mobs are being offered money, liquor or food for attacking Christian property and murdering individuals. The more important the target, the greater the reward. Weapons and kerosene are being distributed.

Orissa bishops have written to the state's chief minister warning of what they describe as a Hindu extremist 'master plan' to wipe out Christianity in the state. Anti-Christian violence began in Orissa in August after the murder of a Hindu extremist leader – despite the fact that Maoists admitted responsibility for his death. Violence has since spread to 14 states.

Hindu nationalists from the BJP (Bharatiya Janata party) now say they are considering introducing national legislation banning 'forced religious conversion' if they win the forthcoming general election. So far seven Indian states have passed anti-conversion legislation. The vague wording of these laws, which invites widespread abuse, is putting increased pressure not only on Christian groups involved in charity work but also on churches conducting traditional worship activities.

In all but one of eight attacks on Christians reported by Compass Direct between mid-October and mid-November, extremists accused Christians of forced conversion. On November 15, Hindu militants stripped Pastor Fernandes and beat him unconscious at the Church of God in Mumbai, Maharashtra – after the conversion and baptism of five Hindus.

(Sources: All India Christian Council, Assist News, Christian Post, Compass Direct, FT online, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada)

Pray for an end to the campaign of anti-Christian violence across India.

Ask God to comfort and heal all those affected, including Pastor Fernandes. And pray that the church in India will be strengthened through this ordeal.

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