Release International

Brutal attacks were launched on three church leaders in the space of four days – just as Indian Christians demanded tougher penalties for anyone attacking their community.

In the most recent assault, on March 11, Pastor Erra Krupanamdam was beaten by Hindu militants who attacked him in Medak, Andhra Pradesh, fracturing his back and ribs.

Two days earlier, militants armed with rods and hockey sticks burst into the home of Pastor A.K. Wilson in Uttam Nagar, New Delhi, and accused him of converting people to Christ by force. The mob beat him and ordered him to leave the area on pain of death.

And on March 8, a man detonated a crude bomb in a church in Rohtas district, Bihar state, and shot at the pastor. Pastor Vinod Kumar was seriously hurt but survived and his assailant was seized by members of the congregation before he could do more harm. The suspect later said he had wanted to kill Pastor Vinod to stop him bringing people to Christ.
 
Meanwhile, Christians of all denominations have signed a memorandum directed at all political parties in the run-up to the federal elections, tabled to run from April 16 to May 13. Churches are calling on all parties to defend religious freedom, ensure greater security and political representation for religious minorities and not allow violence to go unpunished.

(Sources: AsiaNews, Compass Direct, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada)

• Pray for the fast recovery of all three pastors.
• Thank God for Christians taking a bold stand against discrimination and violence.

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