Recent Incidents of Persecution
India Briefs: Recent Incidents of Persecution
About 100 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers led by A. Raja and another identified only as ...Hindu Villagers Attack Mourners in India
Hindu extremists trying to stop the burial of a convert to Christianity last week in Chhattisgarh ...Islamic Extremists Beat, Mock Christians
Islamic extremists in India attacked a Christian prayer meeting in West Bengal state, beating a ...Briefs: Recent Incidents of Persecution
Police arrested five Christians on March 25 in Dhanegaon, Chhinwara, after Hindu extremists from the ...Parents, Islamic Extremists Beat Young Woman in India
A young woman was thrown out of her home this month for daring to give thanks for healing in ...India Briefs: Recent Incidents of Persecution
State police on Feb. 21 arrested a Christian after Hindu extremists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak ...Accused Pastor in Kashmir, India Given Reprieve
A court has ordered the Jammu and Kashmir state government to temporarily halt criminal proceedings ...India Briefs: Recent Incidents of Persecution
A Hindu extremist in Adigar, Phulbani, Kandhamal district on Jan. 25 attacked a pastor’s hut and ...Tensions Rise in Kashmir after ‘Guilty Verdict,’ Fatwa
Christian workers are fleeing India’s Kashmir Valley after a sharia (Islamic law) court issued a ...Karnataka Most Dangerous State in India for Christians
Attacks on Christians accelerated over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays in the south Indian ...
Extremists Accuse, Harass Orphanage Owner
Published in 2006
November 13 (CDN) — November
13 (Compass Direct News) – Hindu extremists in the southern state of
Karnataka who yesterday slapped a convert suffering from blood cancer
today threatened to keep area converts from joining churches. An alleged
supporter of the Hindu ....
Killer of Driver Sentenced to Life in Prison | Published in 2006 |
November 13 (CDN) — November
13 (Compass Direct News) – A court in Gujarat state has handed down a
sentence of life imprisonment – a maximum of 14 years, under Indian law –
for a man who killed his Catholic driver for asking for an advance in
pay to celebrate ....
Local Politician Incites Attack on Christians | Published in 2006 |
November 13 (CDN) — November
13 (Compass Direct News) –During a panchayat or village council meeting
convened last Thursday (November 9) to address threats against
Christians in a village in Chhattisgarh state, a local politician and
his associates attacked six ....
More Villagers Forced to Bow to Hindu Deities | Published in 2006 |
November 7 (CDN) — November
7 (Compass Direct News) – Hindu extremists yesterday forced Christians
in the remote village of Bevainahalli, in the southern state of
Karnataka, to bow down before Hindu deities and applied the vermilion
mark to their foreheads. It was the ....
Court Hears Plea on Police Torture of Christians | Published in 2006 |
November 6 (CDN) — November
6 (Compass Direct News) – The high court of the western state of
Gujarat today heard a counter complaint from eight Christians accused of
forced conversion and attempted murder. The counter complaint charges
that Hindu extremists attacked ....
Arrests of Christians Continue in Karnataka | Published in 2006 |
November 3 (CDN) — November
3 (Compass Direct News) – Police in the southern state of Karnataka
have arrested four more Christians on charges leveled by Hindu
extremists. Police in Udupi district on October 27 arrested four
Christian youths, including three girls, for ....
Village Leader Seeks to Demolish House Church | Published in 2006 |
November 2 (CDN) — November
2 (Compass Direct News) – The high court of the western state of
Gujarat on Monday (November 6) will hear a complaint by tribal
Christians of Surat district that their village head has ordered them to
demolish their house church. Vasantbhai ....
Christian Villagers Forced to Worship Hindu Deities | Published in 2006 |
November 1 (CDN) — November
1 (Compass Direct News) – Lambini tribal villagers in Karnataka state
prohibited Pastor Revanna Naik and his congregation from worshiping on
Sunday (October 29), instead forcing them to bow down and worship Hindu
deities. Three of the 11 ....
Christian Arrested at Healing Festival | Published in 2006 |
October 31 (CDN) — October
31 (Compass Direct News) – Police last Friday (October 27) arrested a
25-year-old believer for “causing communal disharmony” after Hindu
extremists harassed him for selling Christian literature at an
evangelistic event in the eastern state ....
Christians Beaten for Refusing to ‘Reconvert’ | Published in 2006 |
October 27 (CDN) — October
27 (Compass Direct News) – Ostracized by their village for the past
year, two converts of a church in Madhya Pradesh state’s Shahdol
district have been beaten for their refusal to return to the Hindu fold.
Santu Prasad Barmaia and Kunjan ....
New Believer Arrested, Urged to Frame Pastor | Published in 2006 |
October 26 (CDN) — October
26 (Compass Direct News) – Police this morning arrested a recent
convert in Mayapuri, Madhya Pradesh state for the second time in three
days in an apparent attempt to pressure him to give evidence that his
pastor forcibly converted him. By ....
Christians Dismissed from Operating Health Center | Published in 2006 |
October 19 (CDN) — October
19 (Compass Direct News) – Accusing a Christian-run health center of
forcible conversions, the Chhattisgarh state government has ordered the
takeover of the facility and fired 17 of its employees. Chhattisgarh,
controlled by the Hindu ....
Police in India Arrest Workers at Home for Destitute | Published in 2006 |
October 17 (CDN) — October
17 (Compass Direct News) – Eight Christian workers at a home for the
destitute in Karnataka state are in jail on charges of wrongful
confinement and abduction after 500 villagers on Saturday (October 14)
stormed the facility based on false ....
Christians Beaten, Detained Following Media Reports | Published in 2006 |
October 11 (CDN) — October
11 (Compass Direct News) – A church in Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur district
cancelled its weekly meeting yesterday (October 10) due to tensions in
the region following false reports of conversions in newspapers. The
reports led to two attacks in ....
Christians Attacked, Threatened in Andhra Pradesh | Published in 2006 |
October 9 (CDN) — October
9 (Compass Direct News) – Hindu extremists in the southern state of
Andhra Pradesh attacked at least four Christians in the last three
weeks, including beating three Dalits and threatening to have their
government benefits withdrawn. On ....
Youth Abducted, Tonsured for Receiving Christ | Published in 2006 |
October 6 (CDN) — October
6 (Compass Direct News) – Hindu extremists in the western state of
Orissa on Wednesday (October 4) abducted a Christian youth from his
house and tortured and tonsured him, allegedly to punish him for
accepting Christianity. Ranjan Dangua of ....
Political Fears Spur Anti-Christian Violence | Published in 2006 |
October 4 (CDN) — October
4 (Compass Direct News) – Growth in the incidence of violence against
Christians in India this year is rooted largely in the political
insecurity of Hindu nationalists, sources say. Increased attacks against
Christians this year have grown ....
Christians Attacked, Charged With Attempted Murder | Published in 2006 |
September 29 (CDN) — September
29 (Compass Direct News) – Seven Christians working with the Indian
Missionary Society (IMS) in India’s Gujarat state were released on bail
this morning. The group was charged with attempted murder after Hindu
extremists waylaid and ....
Beatings, Threats Continue in Madhya Pradesh | Published in 2006 |
September 26 (CDN) — September
26 (Compass Direct News) – Hindu extremists severely beat two pastors
on September 24 in Madhya Pradesh, India, before dragging them to a
police station and accusing them of “forcing” conversions. Two days
earlier, extremists had attacked ....
Christians Protest Punjab Church Attack | Published in 2006 |
September 21 (CDN) — Vandalized
church propertyPhoto: Bishop P. K. Samantaroy September 21 (Compass
Direct News) – Christians in Amritsar, in India’s Punjab state, will
stage a rally on Friday (September 22) to protest last week’s attack on a
200-year-old church in ....
State Modifies Anti-Conversion Law | Published in 2006 |
September 20 (CDN) — September
20 (Compass Direct News) – The Gujarat state assembly House, led by the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Tuesday passed a bill to modify the
state anti-conversion law of 2003, with intent to clear various legal
hurdles that have prevented ....
Muslim Militants Attack Christian Missionary School | Published in 2006 |
September 18 (CDN) — September
18 (Compass Direct News) – On Monday (September 11), Muslim militants
attacked the Good Shepherd Mission School in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir
state, destroying the boundary wall and damaging the school building and
equipment. The school is ....
More Christians Attacked in Madhya Pradesh | Published in 2006 |
September 15 (CDN) — September
15 (Compass Direct News) – Attacks against Christians in Madhya Pradesh
continued this week, with Hindu extremists attacking at least three
Christian gatherings. A total of eight Christians were accused of
attempted forced conversion or ....
Hindu Extremists Trap, Beat 60-Year-Old Evangelist | Published in 2006 |
September 8 (CDN) — September
8 (Compass Direct News) – Hindu extremists investigating the activities
of Varghese Thomas, an evangelist in Karnakata state, laid a trap for
him on Sunday (September 3), before beating him and his wife. Thomas is
60 and his wife, Leelama, ....
Attacks against Christians Rise in Karnataka | Published in 2006 |
September 8 (CDN) — September
8 (Compass Direct News) – Hindu extremists have levied charges of
“forced” conversion and launched several attacks on Christians in the
southern state of Karnataka. Two pastors in the coastal town of
Akkiallur in Haveri district were ....
Christians Accused of Concealing Identity Attacked | Published in 2006 |
September 6 (CDN) — September
6 (Compass Direct News) – A leader of the Hindu militant group Bajrang
Dal on Sunday (September 3) led an attack on a church in Jammu and
Kashmir state where about 20 members, including seven Christians facing
charges of “concealing ....
Seven Christians Arrested for ‘Concealing Identity’ | Published in 2006 |
September 1 (CDN) — September
1 (Compass Direct News) – A court in Jammu and Kashmir state today
granted bail to two pastors and five Bible students who had been
detained by police yesterday on charges of “concealing identity” and
“forced conversion.” Pastor P.R. ....
Extremist Attacks against Christians Mount | Published in 2006 |
August 28 (CDN) — August
28 (Compass Direct News) – Multiple attacks and arrests in recent weeks
demonstrate ongoing hostility towards Christians in India. Police have
cooperated with Hindu extremists, in some cases claiming “tremendous
pressure” to charge Christian ....
Town Plans Ban on Preaching Non-Hindu Faiths | Published in 2006 |
August 24 (CDN) — August
24 (Compass Direct News) – The Congress Party-led government of the
southern state of Andhra Pradesh has decided to enact a law banning
preaching of any religion other than Hinduism in Tirupati, a “temple
town” in large measure under the ....
Four Christians Attacked, Arrested after Service | Published in 2006 |
August 22 (CDN) — August
22 (Compass Direct News) – Hindu extremists on Sunday (August 20) beat
four Christians, including a pastor, who were later arrested on charges
of “forced conversion” in Madhya Pradesh state. A group of about 15
extremists punched and hit the ....
Pastor in Jabalpur Arrested for ‘Forcible Conversion’ | Published in 2006 |
August 16 (CDN) — August
16 (Compass Direct News) – A group of 45 to 50 Dharma Raksha Sena Hindu
extremists on Monday (August 14) mobbed Pastor Vinod Karsal, 50, as he
was praying for the healing of another pastor in Jabalpur, Madhya
Pradesh. Pastor Shaun Kushwaha, ....
Hindu Extremists Attack Jailed Christian | Published in 2006 |
August 14 (CDN) — August
14 (Compass Direct News) – A group of about 15 Hindu extremists in the
southern state of Karnataka on August 4 entered a jail and attacked a
Christian businessman accused of compelling his wife to commit suicide.
“About 15 extremists of the ....
Four Women Accused of ‘Forced’ Conversion | Published in 2006 |
August 11 (CDN) — August
11 (Compass Direct News) – Hindu extremists have threatened four
Christian women accused of “forced” conversion in Tamil Nadu state,
while two priests of a Catholic high school in neighboring Karnataka
state have been attacked. Albert Lael, ....
Court Restores EMI Registration, Bank Accounts | Published in 2006 |
August 8 (CDN) — M.A.
Thomas with orphans (Hopegivers)August 8 (Compass Direct News) – A day
after extending the bail of leaders of Emmanuel Mission International
(EMI), the Rajasthan High Court today restored the registration of five
of the mission’s institutions ....
Court Extends Bail of EMI Founder, President | Published in 2006 |
August 7 (CDN) — Dr.
Samuel ThomasAugust 7 (Compass Direct News) – The Rajasthan High Court
today extended the interim bail of Emmanuel Mission International (EMI)
founder Archbishop M.A. Thomas and his son Samuel Thomas, EMI president,
to November 30. The court ....
State Tightens Controls on Conversions | Published in 2006 |
July 25 (CDN) — July
25 (Compass Direct News) – In spite of a national minority panel report
confirming violence against Christians in the north-central state of
Madhya Pradesh, the state government today passed an amendment making
stricter the “anti-conversion” ....
Christians Arrested for Visiting Hospital Patients | Published in 2006 |
July 24 (CDN) — July
24 (Compass Direct News) – Three young Christians visiting hospital
patients – and four Bible students in a separate incident – were
attacked and accused of “forced conversions” last week in the southern
state of Karnataka. On July 17, at least ....
Mission Complex Vandalized in Karnataka | Published in 2006 |
July 21 (CDN) — July
21 (Compass Direct News) – Hindu extremists vandalized an indigenous
church and ministry complex in Shivanapura district, Karnataka state, on
Saturday night (July 15), rampaging through facilities and locking
terrified residents in their ....
Pastor Arrested During Sunday Worship | Published in 2006 |
July 20 (CDN) — July
20 (Compass Direct News) – Police on Sunday (July 16) arrested Pastor
Om Prakash Pandey while he was leading worship at his independent church
in the village of Daksinwara, in the Sultanpur district of Uttar
Pradesh state. The 27-year-old ....
Youths Set Fire to Orphanage, Harass Girls | Published in 2006 |
July 17 (CDN) — July
17 (Compass Direct News) – Unidentified youths early on July 6 harassed
girls and launched an arson attack at the orphanage of Emmanuel Mission
International in Rajasthan state’s Kota district.The incident took
place at 2 a.m. when at least six ....
Christians Mocked Following Attack in Maharashtra | Published in 2006 |
July 6 (CDN) — July
6 (Compass Direct) – When four tribal Christians in Toranpada village,
Maharashtra state, asked for help following an attack by Hindu
extremists last month, police responded by taunting and kicking the
victims, then filing charges against them. ....
Court in India Temporarily Restores EMI Licenses, Bank Accounts | Published in 2006 |
June 30 (CDN) — Archbishop Thomas
with orphans (Hopegivers)June 30 (Compass Direct) – The Rajasthan High
Court on Wednesday (June 28) temporarily restored the registrations of
five institutions run by Christian charity Emmanuel Mission
International (EMI) and ....
Hindu Extremists Attack Church, Try to Burn Pastor | Published in 2006 |
June 22 (CDN) — June
22 (Compass Direct) – Hindu extremists on Sunday (June 18) broke into
Hossana church in Kosa Nala, Bhilai district of Chattisgarh state,
attacking Pastor David Raj and other church members, including his wife.
They also placed a rubber tire ....
Rape Victims Charged with ‘Forced Conversion’ | Published in 2006 |
June 20 (CDN) — June
20 (Compass Direct) –– Hindu extremists have filed a counter-complaint
of “forced conversion” against two Christian women who had lodged rape
charges against Hindu villagers in Madhya Pradesh state. The women had
filed the charges on May 31 ....
State to Take Over EMI Institutions in Rajasthan | Published in 2006 |
June 19 (CDN) — EMI
Orphans (courtesy Hopegivers Intl.)June 19 (Compass Direct) – The
Rajasthan government on Wednesday (June 14) announced plans to take over
five institutions operated by Emmanuel Mission International (EMI). EMI
operates Emmanuel Bible Institute ....
Hindu Extremists Beat Pastor in Karnataka State | Published in 2006 |
June 15 (CDN) — June
15 (Compass Direct) – Hindu extremists on Sunday (June 11) dragged an
independent pastor to a police station in Karnataka state, accusing him
of converting Hindus to Christianity. They beat Pastor Sundar Rao
severely both inside the police ....
Preacher Murdered in Andhra Pradesh | Published in 2006 |
June 12 (CDN) — June
12 (Compass Direct) – The body of Prem Kumar, a 67-year-old preacher
from the Church of South India, was found last Thursday (June 8) in a
forest in Nizamabad district of Andhra Pradesh state. Kumar’s head was
crushed beyond recognition, ....
Police Force Neighbor of Christian to File Charge | Published in 2006 |
June 9 (CDN) — June
9 (Compass Direct) – Police raided a home in Jabalpur city, Madhya
Pradesh on Tuesday (June 6) and arrested the Christians there after
officers and Hindu extremists pressured a neighbor to file a charge. The
owner of the home, Meera Bai, 52, ....
Local Leader Threatens Christians after Rapes | Published in 2006 |
June 9 (CDN) — June
9 (Compass Direct) – The headman of 12 villages in Madhya Pradesh
state, including Nadia village where two Christian women were raped on
May 28, has asked Christians to renounce their faith or leave the
village, a local source said. Pandya ....
Pastor Arrested after Attack by Hindu Extremists | Published in 2006 |
June 7 (CDN) — June
7 (Compass Direct) – A mob of Hindu extremists on Sunday (June 4)
stormed a home prayer meeting in Mayapuri, Madhya Pradesh state and
dragged Christians inside to a nearby temple to force them to bow before
local gods, but it was the church ....
16 Christians Acquitted in Murder Case | Published in 2006 |
June 5 (CDN) — June
5 (Compass Direct) – A district court of Madhya Pradesh state has
acquitted 16 Christians accused of killing a Hindu fundamentalist in the
violence that erupted after the body of a young girl was found inside a
Catholic school in Jhabua in ....
Hindu Villagers Gang-rape Two Christian Women | Published in 2006 |
June 2 (CDN) — June
2 (Compass Direct) – With the encouragement of a local chief and the
apparent backing of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, villagers in
the north-central state of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday (May 28) gang-raped
two Christian women after the ....
New Charges Leveled Against EMI Leaders in India | Published in 2006 |
June 1 (CDN) — Dr.
Samuel Thomas (photo: Hopegivers)June 1 (Compass Direct) – The
administration of Rajasthan state’s Kota district has leveled fresh
charges of “exciting . . . disaffection towards the government of India”
against Emmanuel Mission International ....
State Secretly Surveys Churches, Missions | Published in 2006 |
May 31 (CDN) — May
31 (Compass Direct) – Preparation of a “data bank of churches and
missionary organizations” by police in Rajasthan state’s Udaipur
district has heightened fears of renewed harassment among the state’s
miniscule Christian community. Christians in ....
Family in India Driven from Village for Embracing Christ | Published in 2006 |
May 26 (CDN) — May
26 (Compass Direct) – Animist worshipers of nature in a village in
Jharkhand state this week humiliated and drove out a local family for
becoming Christians. Santosh Karmali, 42, on Sunday (May 21) was forced
to sign an agreement with followers ....
State Governor Rejects Anti-Conversion Bill | Published in 2006 |
May 22 (CDN) — May
22 (Compass Direct) – Amid widespread criticism of the Rajasthan
anti-conversion bill by Christian and human rights organizations,
Rajasthan Gov. Pratibha Patil on Friday (May 19) refused to sign it into
law, saying its provisions would violate ....
Religious Freedom Panel Disappoints Christians | Published in 2006 |
May 16 (CDN) — May
16 (Compass Direct) – Christians weary of a multifaceted, state-backed
assault on them were disappointed by the U.S. Commission on
International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) failure to include India in
its 2006 recommendations as a Country of ....
Church Attacked, Pastor Arrested in Madhya Pradesh | Published in 2006 |
May 15 (CDN) — May
15 (Compass Direct) – Hindu extremists yesterday vandalized an
independent church in Gauri Nadi village, about 12 kilometers (seven
miles) from Jabalpur city in the north-central state of Madhya Pradesh.
The mob beat a church member and lodged a ....
Woman Accuses Family of Attempted Forced Conversion | Published in 2006 |
May 11 (CDN) — May
11 (Compass Direct) – A woman in the city of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
state, has accused six of her uncles and their pastor of trying to
forcefully convert her to Christianity. The men involved say the
accusations are an attempt to get revenge ....
Police Investigate Easter Attack on Church in Punjab | Published in 2006 |
May 9 (CDN) — May
9 (Compass Direct) – Punjab police on Friday (May 5) assured members of
a house church in Bhatinda district attacked by Hindu extremists during
an Easter service that they would help negotiate a compromise with the
attackers. Sukh Pal Singh, a ....
Police Collude with Extremists to Charge Christian | Published in 2006 |
May 4 (CDN) — May
4 (Compass Direct) – Police in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh state on Monday
(May 1) colluded with Hindu extremists by having Christian “evidence”
planted in a social worker’s personal bag in order to charge him with
“forcible” conversion of ....
EMI President Released on Interim Bail | Published in 2006 |
May 2 (CDN) — Rev.
Dr. Samuel Thomas (courtesy of Hopegivers Intl.)May 2 (Compass Direct) –
The Rev. Dr. Samuel Thomas, president of the Emmanuel Mission
International (EMI), was released from the Kota Central Jail today after
the Rajasthan High Court granted him ....
Christians Decry Inequality of Religious Offense Law | Published in 2006 |
April 27 (CDN) — April
27 (Compass Direct) – Dr. John Dayal, president of the All India
Catholic Union, has lodged an official complaint against L.K. Advani,
former deputy prime minister and current leader of the opposition in
Parliament, for hurting the religious ....
Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to EMI Founder | Published in 2006 |
April 25 (CDN) — April
25 (Compass Direct) – The Supreme Court of India on Friday (April 21)
granted anticipatory bail to Archbishop M.A. Thomas, the founder of
Emmanuel Mission International (EMI) who has been in hiding since
authorities issued an arrest warrant ....
Pastors Arrested for ‘Fraudulent Conversion’ | Published in 2006 |
April 19 (CDN) — April
19 (Compass Direct) – Police backed by Hindu extremists arrested
Avinash Lal, an independent Pentecostal pastor from Jabalpur, Madhya
Pradesh state, and six other Christian leaders last night (April 18) on
charges on “fraudulent conversion.” ....
Violence Scars Easter Week in Three States | Published in 2006 |
April 17 (CDN) — April
17 (Compass Direct) – As Christians around the globe intoned, “Christ
is risen” with hallelujahs yesterday, Easter in India was marred by
violence. In the southern state of Karnataka, 15 Hindu extremists said
to be from the Bajrang Dal (youth ....
Christians Attacked, Charged with Illegal Conversion | Published in 2006 |
April 13 (CDN) — April
13 (Compass Direct) – Extremists attacked two Christian schools and a
private Christian gathering last week in Madhya Pradesh state and
accused several Christians of carrying out “illegal conversions.”
Christians responded with a protest march ....
Rajasthan State Anti-Conversion Bill Potentially ‘Explosive’ | Published in 2006 |
April 13 (CDN) — April
13 (Compass Direct) – An anti-conversion bill passed by the Rajasthan
state assembly last Friday (April 7) is unconstitutional and could lead
to an “explosive situation” in the state, Christians say. Religious
tensions in the state are already ....
RSS ‘Reconverts’ Over 300 Christians in Orissa | Published in 2006 |
April 12 (CDN) — April
12 (Compass Direct) – Hindu leaders attending a centenary celebration
of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) last weekend converted at least
344 tribal Christians to Hinduism. Although police were present, they
took no action to enforce ....
Pastor Survives Suspected Murder Attempt in Kerala | Published in 2006 |
April 7 (CDN) — April
7 (Compass Direct) – Pastor Paul Ciniraj Mohammed, a Christian convert
from Islam, is still recovering from what he believes was a murder
attempt in Kottayam district, in the southern state of Kerala, on March
16. Ciniraj is the head of Salem ....
Rajasthan State to Weigh Anti-Conversion Bill | Published in 2006 |
April 6 (CDN) — April
6 (Compass Direct) – The Rajasthan state assembly tomorrow will
consider a bill approved in principle that would prohibit “forced or
fraudulent” conversions, which Christian groups fear Hindu elements will
use against people who legitimately ....
Catholics Lose Contract for Leprosy Hospital | Published in 2006 |
April 5 (CDN) — April
5 (Compass Direct) – The pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party government of
Gujarat state has declined to renew its contract with the Catholic
administrators of a leprosy hospital in Ahmedabad, on the grounds that
the nuns were “preaching ....
Supreme Court Denies Tribal Posts to Converts | Published in 2006 |
April 4 (CDN) — April
4 (Compass Direct) – The Supreme Court last Tuesday (March 28) quietly
ruled that conversion of tribal people to Christianity could disqualify
them from running for some elective offices if the posts involve
religious functions. This ruling ....
Attacks Plotted Against EMI President in Custody | Published in 2006 |
March 29 (CDN) — John
Dayal with Samuel ThomasMarch 29 (Compass Direct) – In remanding the
president of the Emmanuel Mission International (EMI) to judicial
custody until April 10, a Rajasthan court today ordered the
administration to keep the Rev. Dr. Samuel Thomas ....
Christian Workers Attacked in Two States | Published in 2006 |
March 27 (CDN) — March
27 (Compass) – Hindu extremists broke into a Youth With a Mission
(YWAM) training center on March 17 in Madhya Pradesh state, beating
students and significantly damaging furniture and equipment. YWAM
director Mukesh Jacob and his wife have ....
RSS Plans to Reconvert 10,000 Christians in Orissa | Published in 2006 |
March 24 (CDN) — March
24 (Compass) – A Hindu extremist group planning centenary celebrations
in April hopes to “reconvert” as many as 10,000 tribal Christians to
Hinduism during the event. The Dharma Jogna will take place in Orissa on
April 8-10, in honor of Madhav ....
BJP Pressured State to Harrass Christians, Panel Finds | Published in 2006 |
March 21 (CDN) — Delegation
at OrphanageMarch 21 (Compass) – A day after a mission organization’s
president was given three more days in police custody, a delegation from
the All India Christian Council (AICC) today submitted a report to
Prime Minister Manmohan ....
Kidnapped Pastor Released Unharmed in Northeast | Published in 2006 |
March 20 (CDN) — March
20 (Compass) – The Rev. Tongkhojang Lunkim was released at 1 p.m. on
Saturday (March 18) after being held captive for two months by the Kuki
Liberation Army (KLA) in Manipur state, Northeast India. Lunkim was
released “somewhere in the Sadar ....
Catholic Priest Murdered in Goa State | Published in 2006 |
March 20 (CDN) — March
20 (Compass) – The murder of priest Eusebio Ferrao in Goa state early
Saturday morning (March 18) has sent shockwaves through the Catholic
communities of India. Fr. Ferrao, 61, was parish priest of St. Francis
Xavier Church in Macazana, a ....
EMI President Arrested at Gunpoint | Published in 2006 |
March 16 (CDN) — March
16 (Compass) – Rajasthan state police officers today arrested the Rev.
Dr. Samuel Thomas, president of Emmanuel Mission International (EMI) and
son of Archbishop M.A. Thomas, EMI’s founder. The arrest took place in
Noida, Uttar Pradesh state. ....
Kidnapped Christian Leader Still Missing | Published in 2006 |
March 16 (CDN) — March
16 (Compass) – The Rev. Tongkhojang Lunkim is still missing two months
after a rebel army in Northeast India kidnapped the administrative
secretary of the Kuki Christian Church (KCC) on January 17, and
relatives fear for his safety. Besides ....
Tensions Mount over Attacks on EMI Work | Published in 2006 |
March 15 (CDN) — March
15 (Compass) – A concerted attack on Emmanuel Mission International
(EMI) orphanages, schools and other ministries in Rajasthan intensified
this week when the state welfare minister, Madan Dilawar, said he should
be stoned to death if his ....
Wave of Violence Hits Christians in Rajasthan | Published in 2006 |
March 9 (CDN) — March
9 (Compass) – Christians in the northwestern state of Rajasthan have
pledged to begin public protests on March 18 if the government refuses
to take action following a recent wave of violence against the Christian
community. Hindu extremists ....
Police Harass Christian Leader’s Family in Rajasthan | Published in 2006 |
March 8 (CDN) — March
8 (Compass) – Approximately 15 policemen from Rajasthan and Karnataka
states forcefully entered the home of prominent Christian leader Sajan
K. George on Monday (March 6) in his absence. They searched the house
and questioned family members ....
Christian Women Assaulted in West Bengal | Published in 2006 |
March 8 (CDN) — March
8 (Compass) – Young men in the eastern state of West Bengal assaulted
Christian women from two different families on Thursday (March 2) and on
February 16. Fearing for their lives, the mother and daughter of one of
the families have ....
Pastor Beaten for ‘Forcible Conversion’ in Punjab | Published in 2006 |
February 21 (CDN) — February
21 (Compass) – Accusing the pastor of an independent church in the
northern state of Punjab of “forcible conversion,” an Indian woman from
Canada and three unidentified youths on February 8 beat the Christian
leader so severely that he ....
The Roots of Hindu Extremism | Published in 2006 |
February 17 (CDN) — February
17 (Compass) – In recent weeks Hindu extremist organizations such as
the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS or Indian Volunteers Corp) have
made headlines for organizing the controversial Shabri Kumbh or Hindu
“reawakening” rally in Dangs ....
Event Shows Extent of Fear of Christianity | Published in 2006 |
February 14 (CDN) — Sadhvi
Ritambhara said Hindus must take up arms February 14 (Compass) –
Christianity is a major threat to Indian nationalism, organizers of a
“reconversion” rally held last weekend in Gujarat indicated yesterday
during the closing ceremony. ....
Extremists at Massive Event Call for Anti-Conversion Law | Published in 2006 |
February 13 (CDN) — February
13 (Compass) – Speakers at the Shabri Kumbh, a “reawakening” event
organized by Hindu extremists in Dangs district, Gujarat state over the
weekend, encouraged tribal Christians to “reconvert” and passed a
resolution calling on the Indian ....
Villagers Brutally Beat Christians in Orissa | Published in 2006 |
February 3 (CDN) — February
3 (Compass) – Extremists encouraged Hindu residents of a village in
Malkangiri district, Orissa state, to attack Christian residents on
January 24. At least 10 Christians were injured and two were
hospitalized. The attack took place at ....
Hindu Mob Stones Crowd at Catholic School Opening | Published in 2006 |
February 2 (CDN) — February
2 (Compass) – A 50-strong Hindu mob attacked a new Catholic school and
boarding hostel as the facility was inaugurated on Sunday (January 29)
in Maharashtra state. The mob threw stones into the crowd, broke chairs
and beat participants with ....
Extremists, Police Beat Christians in Madhya Pradesh | Published in 2006 |
January 30 (CDN) — January
30 (Compass) – Hindu extremists armed with sticks, rods and other sharp
weapons gate-crashed a Christian seminar held in a private home in
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on Saturday morning (January 28). Six Christians
were rushed to a hospital with ....
Christians Brace for Hindu ‘Reconversion’ Event | Published in 2006 |
January 27 (CDN) — January
27 (Compass) – Some Christian leaders have suggested evacuating the
entire Christian tribal population of Dangs in Gujarat state before the
Shabri Kumbh, a Hindu “re-awakening” festival planned for February
11-13. Others have discouraged the ....
Christians Attacked, Houses Burned in Orissa | Published in 2006 |
January 25 (CDN) — January
25 (Compass) – A pastor and his cousin charged with attempted forced
conversion in Matiapada village, Orissa state, were released on bail
yesterday, while five Hindu villagers charged with assault and setting
fire to the pastor’s house are ....
Romance Leads to Communal Hatred in Assam | Published in 2006 |
January 23 (CDN) — January
23 (Compass) – At this time last year, Noor Jehan Ahmed, 55, lived
peacefully in the village of Nagaon, in the northeastern state of Assam.
She and her extended household of 29 people formed their own Christian
enclave within the ....
Christians Attacked at Bus Stand and at House | Published in 2006 |
January 19 (CDN) — January
19 (Compass) – Hindu extremists attacked Christians in two incidents in
the same district of Andhra Pradesh state on January 12 and 13, in one
case dragging a pastor from a child’s birthday party and kicking him
unconscious. In all, seven ....
Hindu Extremists Plan Massive ‘Reawakening’ Event | Published in 2006 |
January 12 (CDN) — January
12 (Compass) – A number of key Christian leaders recently called on the
Indian government to ban or strictly supervise a massive Hindu
“reawakening” event to be held in the tribal district of Dangs, Gujarat
state, February 11-13. At least ....
Police in Village Ban Church, Allow Hindu Temple | Published in 2006 |
January 4 (CDN) — January
4 (Compass) – Police decided yesterday to allow a make-shift Hindu
temple in Umarkote village but banned Christians from worshiping at a
nearby house church following a conflict that led to Hindu extremists
attacking four people. The ....
Catholics Attacked on Way to Christmas Mass | Published in 2005 |
December 30 (CDN) — December
30 (Compass) – Hindu extremists launched two attacks on Catholics in
the northern state of Rajasthan during the week before Christmas, in one
case beating four people until they were unconscious. On Saturday
(December 24), nine members of ....
A Year of Violence Against Catholics | Published in 2005 |
December 15 (CDN) — December
15 (Compass) – As Catholic believers across India gather to celebrate
the birth of Jesus, many will carry physical or emotional scars as a
result of attacks launched by Hindu extremists over the past year. Many
incidents of violence against ....
Hindu Extremists Claim Pastor’s House | Published in 2005 |
December 14 (CDN) — December
14 (Compass) – Pastor Feroz Masih of the Believers’ Church in India
(BCI), who had earlier received death and arson threats, was forced to
vacate his house in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India, on
December 7. “The ....
Militants Attack Churches, Force Christians into Hindu Temple | Published in 2005 |
December 5 (CDN) — December
5 (Compass) – Two militant Hindu groups struck churches in Chattisgarh
and Madhya Pradesh states on Sunday (December 4). At least 25 members of
the Hindu extremist group Dharma Sena attacked a church in Raipur,
Chattisgarh state, severely ....
Christian Workers Attacked in Maharashtra State | Published in 2005 |
December 2 (CDN) — December
2 (Compass) – A group of young people attacked three Christians as they
distributed Christian literature in the western state of Maharashtra on
Saturday (November 26). Two of the three injured were hospitalized.
“It’s a miracle that we are ....
Convert from Islam Remains on Death List | Published in 2005 |
December 1 (CDN) — Rev.
K.K. AlaviDecember 1 (Compass) – The Rev. K.K. Alavi, called “one of
the bravest Christians in India,” is the son of a staunch Islamic
cleric. Since receiving Christ at age 21, Rev. Alavi has endured at
least four attempts on his life. Because ....
Supreme Court Again Defers Ruling on Dalit Rights | Published in 2005 |
November 30 (CDN) — November
30 (Compass) – India’s Supreme Court on Monday (November 28) for the
third time deferred ruling on whether Dalit Christians (low-caste
“untouchables”) can be denied job and education rights. Dalits belonging
to Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh ....
Extremists Lock Up Church, Attack Christians | Published in 2005 |
November 29 (CDN) — November
29 (Compass) – Christians in the Kakradara area of Jhabua in Madhya
Pradesh state are living in fear after extremists barred access to their
new church and beat up their pastor and visiting evangelists after a
church dedication ceremony on ....
Threat to Burn Christians to Death Defused | Published in 2005 |
November 21 (CDN) — November
21 (Compass) – Members of the Believers’ Church in India (BCI) in the
north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh met peacefully Sunday, despite
death and arson threats issued by Hindu extremists. “About 20 people
came for the service. This was ....
Pastor Charged with “Forced Conversion” | Published in 2005 |
November 18 (CDN) — November
18 (Compass) – Govind Verma, chief of a local chapter of the Bharatiya
Janata Party, approached Pastor Masih Das Rai of Chattisgarh state last
month saying he had had an encounter with God and wanted to become a
Christian. Just six months ....
Hindu Extremists Attack Church in Himachal Pradesh, India | Published in 2005 |
November 14 (CDN) — November
14 (Compass) – Hindu extremists attacked 62-year-old Pastor Feroz Masih
in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh on November 4, accusing
him of “forcibly converting” Hindus and severely beating him. The
attackers then forced Masih to ....
Hindu Extremists Disrupt Large Prayer Meeting | Published in 2005 |
November 8 (CDN) — November
8 (Compass) – Hindu extremists disrupted a large prayer gathering in
the house of a Christian family in Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh
state, on Sunday (November 6). Confining 200 people in the house’s
prayer hall for hours, the ....
Mob Attacks Dalit Christians in Gujarat State | Published in 2005 |
November 8 (CDN) — November
8 (Compass) – A mob of about 150 high-caste Hindus attacked Dalit
Christians attending an event at Bhoomas village, in the Kheda district
of Gujarat state last Thursday (November 3). The assault, carried out to
punish Dalit Christians for ....
Hindu Extremist Attacks Curb Christian Festival | Published in 2005 |
October 27 (CDN) — October
27 (Compass) – For nearly two weeks, Hindu extremists have been
attacking Christians in the Banswara district of Rajasthan state,
resulting in the cancellation today of the last day of a revival
festival. The violence accelerated on Tuesday ....
Pastor, Wife and Driver Attacked in Gujarat | Published in 2005 |
October 27 (CDN) — October
27 (Compass) – About 30 Hindu extremists attacked a pastor, his wife
and their driver in the western state of Gujarat on October 23. The
three sustained internal injuries. The Rev. Arthur Jebaraj and his wife,
Nyana Sundari Jebaraj, and ....
Why Can’t Christians Adopt in India? | Published in 2005 |
October 21 (CDN) — October
21 (Compass) – Article 14 of the India Constitution guarantees every
citizen the right to equality before the law, but only Hindus can
legally adopt in India. Christians and other religious minorities can
only become guardians. India’s ....
Pastors Attacked at Large Gathering for Healing in India | Published in 2005 |
October 20 (CDN) — October
20 (Compass) – Eight local extremists attacked pastors and vandalized
equipment at a Pentecostal healing event with 500 people in attendance
in Delhi, one of three cities that make up the National Capital
Territory, on Friday, October 14. ....
Church Convention Attacked in Chattisgarh | Published in 2005 |
October 18 (CDN) — October
18 (Compass) – Hindu extremists stormed the annual convention of a
church in Raipur on Saturday, October 15, alleging that organizers had
kidnapped tribal people for conversion. Returning the next day, they
manhandled Christians and shouted ....
Christian Arrested Under Anti-Conversion Law | Published in 2005 |
October 11 (CDN) — October
11 (Compass) – A Christian worker is in jail in Indore, in the
north-central state of Madhya Pradesh, after authorities arrested him on
October 7 for “converting young children from poor Hindu families to
Christianity.”Indore police arrested ....
Police Beat Christians in Punjab State | Published in 2005 |
October 3 (CDN) — October
3 (Compass) – Religious tensions in Punjab state increased last week,
as police who had taken several Christians into custody, presumably to
protect them against Hindu extremists, instead beat them in jail. From
40 to 50 Christians were ....
Assaulted Christians Pressured in Maharashtra | Published in 2005 |
September 29 (CDN) — September
29 (Compass) – Radical Hindus of Jamanya village, in Maharashtra
state’s Jalgaon district, remain hostile to Christian families who were
attacked on May 16 – threatening to beat them if they refuse to renounce
their faith, detaining and ....
Christians Face Conversion Charges in Chattisgarh | Published in 2005 |
September 28 (CDN) — September
28 (Compass) – Nine Christians in Chattisgarh’s Durg district are on
trial for disrupting the peace between two communities by “attempting to
convert” Hindu villagers with offers of money. On Monday, September 26,
the pastor and eight ....
Christians Beaten in Madhya Pradesh in Incident with Idol | Published in 2005 |
September 27 (CDN) — September
27 (Compass) – Hindu extremists on September 22 attacked and threatened
several Christians in the Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh state,
accusing them of desecrating a Hindu idol. One Christian was admitted to
hospital with grave ....
Hindu Mob Again Attacks GEMS Compound in Bihar, India | Published in 2005 |
September 25 (CDN) — September
26 (Compass) – Hindu extremists returned to the Gospel Echoing
Missionary Society (GEMS) compound in Rohtas district, Bihar state on
Sunday, September 25. As in a previous attack on August 31, they
severely injured several Christians. This ....
Christians Protest Church Attacks in Chattisgarh, India | Published in 2005 |
September 20 (CDN) — September
20 (Compass) -- Christians in Chattisgarh, India organized a five-day
rally last week to protest increased attacks on churches in the state.
About 80 Christian leaders attended the rally, coordinated by Arun
Pannalal of the Church of North ....
Anti-Conversion Bill Expected in Rajasthan State | Published in 2005 |
September 12 (CDN) — September
12 (Compass) — The state government of Rajasthan, ruled by the Hindu
nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), plans to present an
anti-conversion bill to the state assembly during its next session,
beginning on September 26.The state ....
Hindu Extremists Surround Christian Compound in Bihar | Published in 2005 |
September 8 (CDN) — September
8 (Compass) -- A mob of Hindu extremists surrounded a mission compound
in India’s Bihar state on August 31 and kept it under siege for three
days. The mob attempted to kill the Rev. Augustine Jebakumar, director
of the mission, and ....
Mob Threatens Two Christians in Madhya Pradesh | Published in 2005 |
September 8 (CDN) — September
8 (Compass) -- Police picked up two Christians attending a worship
service at the home of Jagdish and Grace Nayak in Indore, Madhya Pradesh
state, on September 4 and detained them for four hours. A Hindu mob
also threatened Atul David and ....
World Hindu Council Calls for Nationwide Anti-Conversion Law | Published in 2005 |
September 2 (CDN) — September
2 (Compass) -- The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP or World Hindu Council)
has called for a comprehensive law to ban religious conversions in India
as part of a new campaign to stem the “increasing” number of
conversions around the country. ....
Hearing on Dalit Christian Rights Case Delayed | Published in 2005 |
August 29 (CDN) — August
29 (Compass) -- Christians throughout India have begun a week of prayer
and fasting following a government delay in determining equal rights
for Dalit Christians. Dalit, or “untouchable,” is the term given to the
lowest of India’s caste ....
Mob Attacks Prayer Meeting in Madhya Pradesh | Published in 2005 |
August 29 (CDN) — Grace
NayakAugust 29 (Compass) -- A mob of Hindu extremists violently
attacked a prayer meeting in the town of Indore in the north-central
state of Madhya Pradesh on August 21. At least 10 people, including
women and a 2-year-old child, were ....
Hindu Extremists Attack Prayer Meeting in Rajasthan | Published in 2005 |
August 15 (CDN) — August
15 (Compass) -- Hindu extremists violently attacked a prayer meeting in
Rajasthan state last night, seriously injuring nine Christians,
including one woman. The mob struck at midnight on August 14, during an
all-night prayer vigil held in a ....
Second State to Strengthen Anti-Conversion Law | Published in 2005 |
August 15 (CDN) — August
15 (Compass) -- Attempts to strengthen the state anti-conversion law in
Chattisgarh state, India, have been held up due to “technical
problems,” according to a government official. “The Chattisgarh Dharma
Swatantraya Adhiniyam (Freedom of ....
Hindu Extremists Launch ‘Reconversion’ Campaign in Northern State | Published in 2005 |
August 8 (CDN) — August
8 (Compass) -- Hindu extremists have launched a mass campaign to
“reconvert” Christians from Dalit backgrounds in the north-central
Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The term Dalit is reserved for the
so-called “untouchables” of India, who ....
Couple Arrested for Attempted Forced Conversion | Published in 2005 |
August 4 (CDN) — August
4 (Compass) -- Two Christians in Madhya Pradesh, India, await their
first appearance in court after Hindu villagers accused them of
attempted forced conversion. Jagdish and Grace Nayak were arrested on
July 19 in Jeet Nagar village, Indore ....
Government Proposes Stiffer Law to Regulate Foreign Donations | Published in 2005 |
August 3 (CDN) — August
3 (Compass) -- The Indian government has proposed a law to more closely
regulate foreign donations for “anti-national activities.” Christian
leaders in India fear the new law would be misused to reduce foreign
donations to churches in India. ....
Hindu Fundamentalists Allege “Forced Conversion” | Published in 2005 |
July 28 (CDN) — July
28 (Compass) -- The High Court of Orissa state has asked local
officials to examine complaints of “forced conversions” and ordered
strict enforcement of the state anti-conversion law. The court made the
order in late June, in response to a ....
State to Tighten Control on Conversions | Published in 2005 |
July 26 (CDN) — July
26 (Compass) -- The government of the north-central state of Madhya
Pradesh has declared that it will amend its anti-conversion law to check
the conversion of tribal people to Christianity. The decision was made
after Narendra Prasad, a retired ....
Big Screen Infomercial Discourages Conversions | Published in 2005 |
July 20 (CDN) — July
20 (Compass) -- Cinemas in the town of Vadodara in Gujarat state have
begun showing a short public service clip preceding feature films that
questions religious conversions. The infomercial, made by the
Mumbai-based Indian Infotainment Media ....
Staines’ Killer Inspires Double Murder | Published in 2005 |
July 11 (CDN) — July
11 (Compass) -- A 25-year-old man recently confessed to the murder of
two Christian pastors in Hyderabad city, Andhra Pradesh, southern India.
The accused said he was inspired by Dara Singh, a Hindu activist
convicted for the murder of ....
Catholics Attacked | Published in 2005 |
July 7 (CDN) — July
7 (Compass) -- Hindu extremists launched a series of violent attacks
against Catholics in India during the month of June, causing concern in
the Catholic community. In response, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
India (CBCI) has appealed to ....
Demolition Ordered for Christian Settlement in Orissa | Published in 2005 |
June 23 (CDN) — June
23 (Compass) -- On June 4, a government official ordered the demolition
of 109 houses in a Christian settlement in the town of Jeypore, in
Koraput district, Orissa state, as part of a “beautification” campaign.
When District Collector Shubha ....
Christians Accuse Hindu Villagers of Sexual Assault | Published in 2005 |
June 21 (CDN) — June
21 (Compass) -- Eleven Christian families who were physically attacked
in Jamanya village, Jalgaon district, Maharashtra state, on May 16 now
face social ostracism after they accused Hindu villagers of sexual
assault. On May 15, a community ....
Hindu Activists Attack Church in Chattisgarh | Published in 2005 |
June 9 (CDN) — June
9 (Compass) — Around 200 Hindu activists attacked a church in Moti
Chowk village in Durg district, Chattisgarh, India, while Sunday
services were being held on June 6.The activists were from the Bajrang
Dal, the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu ....
Church Attacked Again in Manipur | Published in 2005 |
June 6 (CDN) — June
6 (Compass) — The Believer’s Church in Lamding, Thoubal district,
Manipur state, suffered another attack on May 29.Members of the church
submitted a memorandum to Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh on May
30 in protest.Copies were also sent ....
Second Pastor Found Dead in Andhra Pradesh | Published in 2005 |
June 6 (CDN) — June
6 (Compass) — On June 2, police in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh
found the body of Pastor Isaac Raju, missing since May 24. According to
Sam Paul, national secretary of the All India Christian Council, the
body was found wrapped in a ....
Christians Believe India Still Deserves ‘CPC’ Status | Published in 2005 |
June 2 (CDN) — June
2 (Compass) — The United States Commission on International Religious
Freedom (USCIRF) in a report issued in May asked that India be removed
from the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (or CPCs), citing
progress in religious freedom. ....
Christian Mission Accused of Forced Conversions | Published in 2005 |
May 31 (CDN) — May
31 (Compass) — Police are currently investigating seven staff members
of a Christian mission, the Atmik Vikas Trust (AVT), in India’s northern
state of Uttar Pradesh. A group of disgruntled trainees have accused
the staff of “running a gang to ....
Christians Suffer Attacks | Published in 2005 |
May 27 (CDN) — May
27 (Compass) — Jamubhai Choudhary and his wife, Jathriben, a Christian
couple from the Valia Taluka area of the southern state of Gujarat,
India, are recovering from injuries received when axe-wielding Hindu
villagers assaulted them three weeks ....
Christian Families Attacked in Maharashtra | Published in 2005 |
May 20 (CDN) — May
20 (Compass) -- Hindu extremists physically attacked 11 Christian
families from Jamanya village in Jalgaon district, Maharashtra state, on
May 16, when they refused to give up their faith. Sources said the mob
tried to disrobe women in the ....
World Hindu Council Opposes Rights for Tribal Christians | Published in 2005 |
May 18 (CDN) — May
18 (Compass) -- A right-wing Hindu group in Orissa, India, has
threatened to launch a campaign for the dismissal of Christian
government officers in response to an order granting equal rights to
tribal Christians. Levinus Kindo, a Christian ....
Hindu Extremists Attack Bible College Students | Published in 2005 |
May 16 (CDN) — May
16 (Compass) -- A group of extremists of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh (RSS) attacked and beat eight students from Beersheba Bible
College, a school affiliated with the Indian Pentecostal Church of God
at Maraman, Chettimukku, on May 12. The ....
Hindu Extremists Attack Church, Burn Bibles | Published in 2005 |
May 4 (CDN) — Pastor
Paulraj RajuMay 4 (Compass) -- A crowd of nearly 500 Hindu villagers
attacked the pastor of a house church, his wife and other church members
in the southern state of Karnataka on May 1. The attackers sexually
molested female church members ....
Church Burned, Christians Attacked in Manipur | Published in 2005 |
April 25 (CDN) — April
25 (Compass) -- Christian leaders in the northeastern state of Manipur
held an emergency meeting on April 22 to consider their response to an
attack on a church in Thoubal district on April 19. During the four-hour
meeting, delegates formed a ....
Villagers Beat Christians, Burn Down Prayer Hall | Published in 2005 |
April 15 (CDN) — April
15 (Compass) -- Hindu and Muslim villagers burned down a prayer hall
and physically attacked three church members following a baptism
ceremony in Kerala, India, on April 1. Two days later, villagers
assaulted Pastor Paul Ciniraj Mohammed and ....
Catholic Priest Stabbed | Published in 2005 |
April 14 (CDN) — April
14 (Compass) -- A priest in the lawless east-Indian state of Bihar was
brutally stabbed in the neck and chest on April 11 when he refused to
pay extortion money to an ex-prisoner he had been counseling. The
incident occurred in the Mokama ....
Christian Businessman Charged With Conversion | Published in 2005 |
April 14 (CDN) — April
14 (Compass) -- An Indian court has charged a Christian businessman in
southern Kerala state with attempted conversion. “Mr. Vidya Sagaran, a
businessman from Kayamkulam Taluka, in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, was
arrested by local police on ....
Hindu Activists ‘Reconvert’ Christians, Threaten Missionaries | Published in 2005 |
April 7 (CDN) — April
7 (Compass) -- The Hindu Jagran Manch activist group has claimed that
hundreds of Christians were “reconverted” in a ceremony on April 2. “As
many as 700 persons were ‘reconverted’ to Hinduism under a ghar vapsi
(homecoming) program organized ....
Chhattisgarh State to Strengthen Anti-Conversion Law | Published in 2005 |
March 28 (CDN) — March
28 (Compass) -- The government of Chhattisgarh, India, intends to
strengthen the state’s anti-conversion law following claims of a rising
number of Christian converts. “The state government has prepared a draft
to amend the provisions of the ....
‘National Minorities Commission’ Irritates Christians | Published in 2005 |
March 21 (CDN) — March
21 (Compass) -- India’s National Minorities Commission (NCM) recently
claimed the percentage of Christians in north-east India had risen to
“abnormally high” levels. The statement prompted ridicule from Christian
leaders who said the NCM was ....
Hindu Extremists Assault Rajasthan Christians | Published in 2005 |
March 18 (CDN) — March
18 (Compass) -- Hindu extremists have violently assaulted several
Christians in Rajasthan, India, over the past two weeks. Local observers
say the attacks are a strategy to push forward the enactment of
anti-conversion laws in the state. The ....
Evangelist’s Arrest Exposes Police Brutality | Published in 2005 |
March 15 (CDN) — March
15 (Compass) -- The defense attorney for a Christian evangelist
arrested on charges of attempting to convert Hindus in India’s Orissa
state appealed his client’s case to the Orissa High Court yesterday. The
appeal exposes police negligence in ....
Hindus Attack Church While Police Take ‘Lunch Break’ | Published in 2005 |
March 14 (CDN) — March
14 (Compass) -- Christians from a small Indian village will have their
day in court on May 9, following a violent attack on a prayer meeting in
Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh, on February 23. Four Hindu men who
identified themselves as members ....
Evangelist’s Battered Body Found in Karnataka | Published in 2005 |
February 22 (CDN) — February
22 (Compass) -- The suspected murder of a Christian evangelist in
Karnataka, India, highlights a growing trend of violence against
Christians in the relatively peaceful southern state. On February 11,
the body of 25-year-old Pastor Narayan ....
Hindus Attack Christian Students in Rajasthan | Published in 2005 |
February 22 (CDN) — February
22 (Compass) -- Activists of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and
Bajrang Dal beat and robbed a group of 280 Christian students on
February 19 while the group was on its way to Emmanuel Mission’s
graduation ceremony in Kota, India. The ....
Wife of Pastor Returns from Captivity | Published in 2005 |
February 18 (CDN) — February
18 (Compass) -- New information has emerged regarding last year’s
kidnapping of Manulaben Dinana, the wife of a Christian pastor, in
Gujarat, India. Dinana, married to Pastor Dharmesh Ninama, was
reportedly kidnapped on May 29, 2004, by ....
February 17 (CDN) — February
17 (Compass) -- India’s Supreme Court has decided to study the legal
implications of denying job and education quotas for Dalit Christians.
“It is a crucial issue and we would examine the legal side ... on the
basis of the rulings cited by ....
Hindu Cleric Bullies Catholic Villagers in Maharashtra | Published in 2005 |
February 14 (CDN) — February
14 (Compass) -- A Hindu cleric in the Catholic village of Rajura,
Maharashtra state, has insisted that tribal Christians turn their church
into a Hindu temple or face serious consequences. “This morning I
received news that the situation is ....
High Court in Gujarat to Review Murder Sentence against Christians | Published in 2005 |
February 2 (CDN) — February
2 (Compass) -- The High Court of Gujarat, India, is expected to hear an
appeal in early February asking to overturn the murder conviction of
five tribal Christians. The five, including a boy of minor age, were
sentenced to life imprisonment ....
High Court in Gujarat to Review Murder Sentence against Christians | Published in 2005 |
February 2 (CDN) — February
2 (Compass) -- The High Court of Gujarat, India, will hear an appeal in
early February regarding the murder conviction of five tribal
Christians who were sentenced to life imprisonment last year for killing
a Hindu fundamentalist. The case ....
Arsonists Attack Christian School in Guwahat | Published in 2005 |
January 26 (CDN) — January
26 (Compass) -- An irate mob set fire to a newly-opened Catholic school
in the northeast state of Assam, India, on January 19, accusing school
staff of attempting to convert Hindus. A news report appearing in the
Assam Tribune claimed that ....
Arsonists Attack Christian School in Guwahati | Published in 2005 |
January 26 (CDN) — January
26 (Compass) -- An irate mob set fire to a newly-opened Catholic school
in the northeast state of Assam, India, on January 19. The mob accused
school staff of attempting to convert Hindus. Local newspaper reports
claimed villagers opposed ....
Dalit Christians Demand Equal Rights | Published in 2005 |
January 10 (CDN) — January
10 (Compass) -- India’s Supreme Court has asked the federal government
why Dalits (or “Untouchables”) who convert to Christianity are denied
access to a quota system for state employment. Under India’s caste
system, about 26 percent of ....
Hindu Leader’s Arrest Leads to Charge of Christian Conspiracy | Published in 2004 |
December 9 (CDN) — December
9 (Compass) -- The arrest of one of India’s most revered Hindu leaders
has led to accusations of a Christian conspiracy. Jayendra Saraswati was
arrested in mid November and accused of conspiring to murder a temple
priest. Hindu nationalist ....
BJP Pledges Faith with Hindu Nationalism | Published in 2004 |
November 30 (CDN) — November
30 (Compass) -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), desperately seeking
its way back to federal power in India, is reverting to its
anti-minority political platform of Hindu nationalism. If implemented,
Christians and Muslims could face a ....
Church Attacked in Mangalore, India | Published in 2004 |
November 29 (CDN) — November
29 (Compass) -- A group of about 15 people attacked a church in the
coastal town of Mangalore during Sunday worship on November 7. According
to press reports, the mob barged into a hall belonging to the Jesus
Bread of Life Ministry and ....
What’s Wrong With Conversion? | Published in 2004 |
November 4 (CDN) — November
4 (Compass) -- While India’s constitution provides for freedom of
religion, many Christians who convert from a Hindu background still face
discrimination from family, friends, neighbors and employers. Some
Hindus believe Christianity is a ....
Five Christians Charged with ‘Wounding Religious Feelings’ | Published in 2004 |
November 2 (CDN) — November
2 (Compass) -- An Indian court recently charged five Christians with
the crime of “wounding the religious feelings” of Hindus, after a
complaint was lodged in the tribal belt of Orissa. The Christians were
released on bail on October 28. ....
Hindu ‘Reconversions’ Continue | Published in 2004 |
October 22 (CDN) — October
22 (Compass) -- At least 336 tribal Christians were “reconverted” to
Hinduism in a mass ceremony organized by the World Hindu Council in
Orissa, India, on October 17. Gauri Prasad Rath, state secretary of the
Council, said it was the largest ....
Dead Man ‘Reconverted’ | Published in 2004 |
October 12 (CDN) — October
12 (Compass) — Residents of Gurandi village, Orissa, dug up the body of
a Catholic man on October 4 and ceremonially “reconverted” him to
Hinduism, along with the living members of his family. The incident was
triggered when Bala Tulasiga, a ....
Dead Man 'Reconverted' | Published in 2004 |
October 12 (CDN) — October
12 (Compass) — Villagers in Orissa dug up the body of a Catholic man
buried in a Hindu cemetery on October 4 and ceremonially “reconverted”
him to Hinduism. The incident took place in Gurandi village in Gajapati
district, Orissa. According ....
Catholic Priest’s Murder Tied to Hindu Ritual | Published in 2004 |
October 7 (CDN) — October
7 (Compass) — Christians in Kerala have alleged that a ritual at a
Hindu temple led to the murder of a 71-year-old Syrian Catholic priest.
Father Job Chittilapilly was murdered on August 28, the day of Kerala’s
annual harvest festival. ....
Missionaries of Charity Attacked in Kerala | Published in 2004 |
October 4 (CDN) — October
4 (Compass) — Four nuns and three brothers belonging to India’s most
famous religious order, Mother Theresa’s Missionaries of Charity, were
attacked on September 25 by Hindu extremists in the southern state of
Kerala. The incident took place ....
Tribal Christians Return to Hinduism | Published in 2004 |
September 29 (CDN) — September
29 (Compass) — The World Hindu Council (VHP) has announced the
“re-conversion” of 75 tribal Christians in the eastern state of Orissa
on September 19. During the ceremony, prominent Hindu leaders
distributed yellow headbands sprinkled with ....
Tonsured Christians Return Home to Hostile Village | Published in 2004 |
August 31 (CDN) — August
31 (Compass) — A group of Christians have returned to their village in
Orissa, India, six months after Hindu villagers shaved their heads bare.
The Christians and their families lived for six months in sheltered
housing provided by a church ....
BJP Returns to Radical ‘Hindutva’ Roots | Published in 2004 |
August 18 (CDN) — August
9 (Compass) — Following the defeat of the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) in this year’s national elections, Hindu fundamentalists
have pressured the BJP to return to their Hindu nationalist roots.
Activists from the radical Vishwa ....
Jailed Pastor Released on Bail | Published in 2004 |
August 18 (CDN) — July
16 (Compass) — A Christian pastor and his associate, jailed for alleged
violation of the state’s anti-conversion law, were released on bail
July 14 after more than six weeks of incarceration in the state of
Orissa, India. Subas Samal and ....
Slapping Incident in Maharashtra Leads to Violence | Published in 2004 |
August 18 (CDN) — July
13 (Compass) — Violence broke out between Hindu and Catholic villagers
on June 16 in the small village of Devbag, Maharashtra, India, when a
member of the local Roman Catholic parish council slapped the son of
Anant Tari, a member of the ....
BJP Returns to Radical ‘Hindutva’ Roots | Published in 2004 |
August 9 (CDN) — August
9 (Compass) — Following the defeat of the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) in this year’s national elections, Hindu fundamentalists
have pressured the BJP to return to their Hindu nationalist roots.
Activists from the radical Vishwa ....
Hindu Mob Assaults Church under Construction | Published in 2004 |
July 23 (CDN) — July
23 (Compass) — Tension has gripped the tribal village of Rohiyal Talal
in the northwest state of Gujarat, India, after a mob of 15 local Hindu
farmers desecrated a Christian church under construction in the hamlet.
In an early-morning assault ....
Jailed Pastor Released on Bail | Published in 2004 |
July 16 (CDN) — July
16 (Compass) — A Christian pastor and his associate, jailed for alleged
violation of the state’s anti-conversion law, were released on bail
July 14 after more than six weeks of incarceration in the state of
Orissa, India. Subas Samal and ....
Slapping Incident in Maharashtra Leads to Violence | Published in 2004 |
July 13 (CDN) — July
13 (Compass) — Violence broke out between Hindu and Catholic villagers
on June 16 in the small village of Devbag, Maharashtra, India, when a
member of the local Roman Catholic parish council slapped the son of
Anant Tari, a member of the ....
Hindu Extremists Kidnap Pastor’s Wife | Published in 2004 |
July 9 (CDN) — July
9 (Compass) — Hindu extremists who kidnapped the wife of a Christian
pastor in India six weeks ago are still holding her captive. Local
police have refused to make any attempt to find Manulaben Dinana, 23.
They have also refused to question the ....
Hindu Extremists Kidnap Pastor’s Wife | Published in 2004 |
July 9 (CDN) — Manulaben
Dinana and her husbandJuly 9 — Hindu extremists who kidnapped the wife
of a Christian pastor in Gujarat, India, still hold her captive six
weeks after the crime. Local police have refused to make any attempt to
find Manulaben Dinana, aged ....
Pastor Brutally Attacked in Village | Published in 2004 |
July 2 (CDN) — July
2 (Compass) — An Indian pastor brutally beaten in a night-time attack
in West Tripura is still recovering from serious knife wounds. Letthang
Gangte, a missionary of the Evangelical Congregational Church of India,
received cuts to the head and ....
Hindu ‘Defense Army’ Fights Christian Conversions | Published in 2004 |
June 3 (CDN) — June
3 (Compass) -- India’s extremist organization, the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has announced plans to establish a number of
Raksha Sena or “Defense Army” groups in Chhatisgarh, central India. In a
two-day training session held for ....
Pastor Arrested, Charged Under ‘Freedom Of Religion’ Act | Published in 2004 |
June 3 (CDN) — June
3 (Compass) -- Hindu villagers have accused Pastor Subas Samal and six
other Christians from Kilipal village, in the state of Orissa, India, of
“conversion by inducement” under the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act.
Pastor Samal and his assistant ....
Tamil Nadu Announces Repeal Of Anti-Conversion Law | Published in 2004 |
May 25 (CDN) — May
25 (Compass) -- On May 18, barely a week after India’s Congress party
defeated the previous pro-Hindu government in national elections, Chief
Minister Selvi J. Jayalalithaa of Tamil Nadu, in southern India,
announced the repeal of the state’s ....
Election Results Show Victory for Congress Party | Published in 2004 |
May 20 (CDN) — May
20 (Compass) -- Christians in India hailed the victory of Sonia
Gandhi’s Congress Party in this month’s general election as a triumph
for religious freedom. However on May 18, five days after the election
results were announced, supporters of ....
Six Villagers Arrested for Tonsuring Christians in Orissa | Published in 2004 |
May 19 (CDN) — May
19 (Compass) — Six people were arrested on May 3 in connection with a
February 10 incident regarding residents of Kilipala village in Orissa
state shaving the heads of a local pastor and eight Christian women.
Tonsuring, or shaving the crown of ....
Veteran Missionary Ordered to Leave Kashmir | Published in 2004 |
May 7 (CDN) — May
7 (Compass) — Indian officials have ordered Jim Borst, 67, of the
U.K.-based Mill Hill Mission working in Kashmir since 1963, to leave the
country on the pretext that his visa has not been renewed. In an April
22 letter, officials of the ....
Christians Apprehensive as General Elections Begin | Published in 2004 |
April 22 (CDN) — April
22 (Compass) — Christians were apprehensive as voting began on April
20, the first day of India’s general elections. With the nation’s recent
history of religious oppression, this year’s election could prove
critical for the future of ....
Catholic Priests Accused of Rape and Murder | Published in 2004 |
March 15 (CDN) — March
15 (Compass) — Hindu fundamentalists of the Bajrang Dal in the state of
Madhya Pradesh have accused Catholic priests of the rape and murder of a
teenage girl on March 3. Catholic staff at Deosar Girls’ Boarding
School reject these claims, ....
Christians Respond to Charges of Evangelistic ‘Conspiracy’ | Published in 2004 |
March 5 (CDN) — March
5 (Compass) — Christian leaders in India have responded with one voice
to allegations made by the weekly newspaper Tehelka that Christians are
carrying out “the conversion agenda of U.S. President George Bush,” and
using the HIV/AIDS problem ....
Police Beat Dalit Pastor in Uttar Pradesh | Published in 2004 |
February 27 (CDN) — February
27 (Compass) — Pastor Ram Prakash, from the Sultanpur district of Uttar
Pradesh, suffered beatings while in police custody in February,
according to a report filed by Open Doors. Prakash was visiting Harish
Chandra, a Christian relative who ....
Christian Women Beaten, Humiliated for Refusing to Deny Christ | Published in 2004 |
February 17 (CDN) — February
17 (Compass) — Christian women from Orissa state, India, were attacked
and humiliated for refusing to give up their faith. On February 6, Hindu
extremists dragged eight women, including two 15-year-old girls, out of
their homes while their ....
Newspaper Attributes ‘Evangelism Boom’ to U.S. Government | Published in 2004 |
February 13 (CDN) — February
13 (Compass) — Tehelka, a weekly newspaper launched on January 30,
accused the U.S. government of having a “conversion agenda” for India.
The 11-page cover story in the inaugural issue portrayed Christian
missionary work as a “sinister and ....
Hindu Fundamentalists Take Aim at Roman Catholic Church | Published in 2004 |
February 9 (CDN) — February
9 (Compass) — Hindu fundamentalists have launched an attack against the
Catholic Church in India in the rural Catholic stronghold of Jhabua,
Madhya Pradesh, and the more sophisticated region of Goa. The attacks
are directly linked to ....
City in Uproar Over Death of Nine-Year-Old Girl | Published in 2004 |
January 22 (CDN) — January
22 (Compass) — Citizens of Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh are enraged over
the murder of a nine-year-old girl whose body was discovered in a
mission school compound on January 13. Hindu protestors allege that
Sujata, the daughter of a ....
Anti-Conversion Laws Biased Against Christians | Published in 2004 |
January 21 (CDN) — January
21 (Compass) — “Anti-conversion” laws implemented in five Indian states
are prejudiced against Christians, according to church leaders. One
such law, passed in Tamil Nadu in October 2002, came after Seventh-day
Adventist missionaries ....
Christian Activist Accused of Converting Hindu Sex Workers | Published in 2004 |
January 19 (CDN) — January
19 (Compass) — Christian activist Anson Thomas has rescued scores of
girls 18 years and younger from prostitution in Mumbai, India. Recently,
brothel owners accused Thomas of “unlawfully converting” Hindu sex
workers to Christianity. When a ....
Bajrang Dal Announces Plans for Film Honoring Staines Murderer | Published in 2004 |
January 12 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- Leaders of the militant Hindu group Bajrang Dal plan to produce a
film honoring Dara Singh, convicted murderer of Australian missionary
Graham Staines and his two young sons. In November 2003, a week after
prominent film-maker Sunil ....
Government Denies Constitutional Rights to Dalit Christians | Published in 2003 |
December 30 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- The Indian government has rejected demands that social benefits be
extended to Dalit Christians and Muslims. A clause in the 1950
Constitution of India enshrined the right of Hindu Dalits to “social
reservations” for jobs and ....
Christmas Eve ‘Re-Conversion Rally’ Held in Gujarat | Published in 2003 |
December 29 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- India’s Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), known as the ”World Hindu
Council,” held a re-conversion rally on Christmas Eve in Dangs district,
south Gujarat. The VHP claimed that 500 members of tribal groups
re-converted to Hinduism during the ....
Anti-Christian Campaigner Caught In Scandal | Published in 2003 |
December 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
— One of India’s most vocal campaigners against Christianity was caught
in a top-level corruption scandal in late November. Dilip Singh Judev,
Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests in the federal
government, was trapped on ....
Fundamentalists Pressure Dalit Christians To Re-Convert | Published in 2003 |
December 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
— India’s Dalits, who have been virtually enslaved as “untouchables”
for more than 2,000 years, have begun to come to Christ in large
numbers. Upper caste Hindus have historically shown little interest in
Dalit affairs; however, they are ....
Hindu Extremists Burn Effigy Of Christ | Published in 2003 |
December 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Tension has gripped the Christian community in the Indian state of
Orissa after Hindu militants unleashed a fresh wave of violence in the
last week of November. A dozen members of the Bharatiya Janata Party and
the Bajrang Dal broke into ....
Hindu Fundamentalists Attack Christians in Mumbai | Published in 2003 |
November 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Christians in Mumbai have suffered a number of recent attacks, most
of them attributed to the Hindu fundamentalist groups Vishwa Hindu
Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. On September 17, VHP activists disrupted
a prayer meeting organized by ....
Mob Attacks Prayer Meeting in Uttaranchal | Published in 2003 |
November 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— An angry mob attacked a group of some 80 Christians participating in a
prayer meeting in the city of Roorkey, Uttaranchal, on October 26.
Assailants tore apart banners, posters and tracts. They burned Bibles
and damaged equipment at the ....
Politicians Use Religion to Win Votes | Published in 2003 |
November 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Upcoming elections for local assemblies in five states in India have
spurred a fresh intensity in political campaigns — and a growing
division along religious lines as politicians use the issue of religion
to polarize voters. Members of ....
Government Prepares National ‘Anti-Conversion Rule’ | Published in 2003 |
October 10 (CDN) — (Compass)
— India’s coalition government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP), is about to introduce fresh rules to prevent
religious conversion across the nation. Entitled “Change of Religion of
the Members of SC/ST ....
Murder of Christian Preacher Remains Unsolved | Published in 2003 |
October 10 (CDN) — (Compass)
— The murder of Yesu Dasu, a 52-year-old Christian preacher and
government employee who was beheaded on September 11, 2000, in the
southern state of Andhra Pradesh, remains unsolved three years after his
death. Investigators have ....
Singh’s Death Sentence Troubles Christians | Published in 2003 |
October 10 (CDN) — (Compass)
— After a mob of about 500 assailants attacked believers in the state
of Orissa, Christian leaders said they fear more violence could erupt as
a consequence of the September 22 death sentence handed down to Dara
Singh for murdering ....
Staines’ Killers Found Guilty | Published in 2003 |
October 10 (CDN) — (Compass)
— More than four years after the tragic murder of Australian missionary
Graham Staines and his two sons, Philip, 11, and Timothy, 7, prime
suspect Dara Singh and 12 others were convicted of the killings.
Delivering the judgment to a packed ....
Death Sentence for Murderer of Missionary | Published in 2003 |
October 10 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Dara Singh was awarded the death penalty by a designated Central
Bureau of Investigation court on September 22 for his role in the murder
of the Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two sons.
Pronouncing the verdict before ....
Evangelist Accused of Drug Trafficking | Published in 2003 |
September 12 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Christian evangelist Yusi Hey Yobin was arrested August 21 in
Shillong, Meghalaya, on charges of drug trafficking. Police raided
Yobin’s home that day and claim to have found 380 grams of high-grade
heroin. However, local Christians say ....
Hindu Fundamentalists Target Kerala | Published in 2003 |
September 12 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Hindu fundamentalists have increased their activities in Kerala,
India’s “cradle of Christianity,” sparking fears that it may be next in a
series of Indian states to adopt “anti-conversion” laws. Regarded as a
safe haven for religious ....
Lawyers Challenge Anti-Conversion Law Before Supreme Court | Published in 2003 |
August 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- The president of the Orissa Christian Legal Association, Mr. Pratap
Chinchani, has filed a Special Leave Petition with the Supreme Court of
India against Orissa state’s Freedom of Religion Act, a 1967 ruling
prohibiting religious ....
Missionaries Arrested, School Officials Accused | Published in 2003 |
August 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- Police arrested a missionary and four church leaders after Christian
groups in Nagaland were accused of forcing people of other faiths to
convert to Christianity. Arrested in July in the neighboring state of
Arunachal Pradesh, the five ....
Police Surveys Alarm Christians | Published in 2003 |
August 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
— When the cauldron of inter-religious tension boiled over in February
2002, Muslims in the state of Gujarat found themselves victims of
“database genocide.” Surveys conducted on their community prior to the
attacks allowed mobs of Hindu ....
Hindu Militants Attack Bible School | Published in 2003 |
August 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
— On July 31, a group of about 250 Hindus attacked a church and Bible
school in Dabwali, a small town in the Sirsa district, Haryana, India.
Students at the Bible school sustained injuries; among them were five
female students. A local ....
Christians Lose Appeal Against Anti-Conversion Law | Published in 2003 |
July 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— The Gujarat High Court has dismissed petitions filed by the All India
Christian Council (AICC) challenging provisions of the highly
controversial Gujarat anti-conversion bill, on the grounds that the
petitions are premature. On June 30, ....
Elections Increase Violence Against Christians | Published in 2003 |
July 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Politically generated hate propaganda against Christians has charged
the atmosphere in India, inspiring at least three attacks on Christians
in June. Hindu fundamentalists joined activists from the ruling BJP
political party to disrupt a ....
India Not Designated ‘Country of Particular Concern’ | Published in 2003 |
July 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Church leaders have expressed regret over the United States
government’s refusal to designate India a “Country of Particular
Concern” (CPC) due to religious violence and discrimination occurring in
the world’s largest democracy. “We ....
Pastors, Nuns Suffer Attacks in ‘Evangelical Capital’ | Published in 2003 |
July 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— They are calling it “serial persecution.” Christians in the state of
Karnataka have never faced it before. During a one-day public hearing
organized by the All India Christian Council on June 12, a “jury” heard
50 cases of persecution. ....
Secretive Survey Alarms Gujurat Christians | Published in 2003 |
June 16 (CDN) — (Compass)
— The government of India’s Gujarat state has again started gathering
community-based information in villages of the Patan district,
heightening suspicions among local Christians that census information
will be misused by fundamentalist ....
Catholic Nun Killed by Grenade in Kashmir | Published in 2003 |
June 16 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Suspected Islamic extremists in the Indian state of Kashmir killed a
nun in a grenade attack on a Catholic school. Sister Kamlesh, a
missionary teacher from West Bengal, died when a grenade exploded on May
22 near the main entrance of ....
Christian Leaders Challenge Anti-Conversion Legislation | Published in 2003 |
May 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Christians in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are gearing up to challenge the
constitutionality of “anti-conversion” bills recently implemented in
their respective states, after the National Commission for Minorities
(NCM) demanded that a ....
Christians Face Insecurity in Nation’s Capital | Published in 2003 |
May 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
— In Delhi, the capital of India, Christians constitute one percent of
the 12.5 million population. For decades, they have been regarded as
peace-loving and service oriented. Not anymore. Ever since the Hindu
nationalist Bharatiya Janata ....
Hindu Activists Humiliate Nuns, Vandalize Health Center | Published in 2003 |
May 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Hindu nationalists staged a humiliating attack on April 10 against
Catholic nuns operating a secondary school in a Bombay suburb. Political
activist Mrs. Sujata Ghag led a group of 15 women into the
administrative office of Holy Cross ....
Gujarat Anti-Conversion Bill Stirs Controversy | Published in 2003 |
April 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— The anti-conversion bill which passed the Gujarat state assembly on
March 26 is being challenged by lawmakers and Christians alike, who
claim the bill is unconstitutional. The controversial legislation seeks
to prevent religious ....
Hindus Attack Church | Published in 2003 |
April 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— A Protestant church in Maharashtra state was attacked on March 12,
and death threats were leveled against local Christians. The 10-year-old
Pata Fellowship Church in the village of Patapaypangara has 22 members
and has lived in peace ....
Legislation Causing Problems | Published in 2003 |
April 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Christian sources in India believe that anti-conversion legislation
passed in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat states has emboldened militant Hindu
groups to target churches and Christian institutions. On March 10, Hindu
fundamentalists set fire ....
Survey Angers Christians in Gujarat | Published in 2003 |
April 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— The Christian community in western India’s Gujarat state has been the
target of three government surveys conducted through the Criminal
Investigation Department apparently in preparation for the
anti-conversion bill passed on March 26 by ....
Fundamentalists Plotted Attack On Missionary | Published in 2003 |
March 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- Following its investigation into the January attack on U.S.
missionary Joseph Cooper, the Confederation of Human Rights Organization
has concluded that a local unit of the fundamentalist Hindu Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) plotted ....
VHP Seeks Constitutional Hindu State | Published in 2003 |
March 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- Spurred by a call to amend the constitution and declare India a
“Hindu nation,” fundamentalists have stepped up attacks against
Christians. “I think we stand for Hindutva (nationalist Hinduism) and
not for government,” said World Hindu ....
Attack On American Evangelist Ends In Deportation | Published in 2003 |
February 11 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- When American missionary Joseph Cooper was attacked and then
deported from India, it brought attention to visa regulations. At least
50 missionaries could be deported in the near future if government
authorities act on a list of names ....
Militant Group Cleared In Staines Trial | Published in 2003 |
February 11 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- Four years after the brutal murder of Australian missionary Graham
Staines and his two sons, their murder trial took a bizarre turn when a
Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) officer testifying for the
prosecution declared that none ....
BJP Electoral Victory is a Blow to Christians | Published in 2003 |
January 13 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Fundamentalist Hindus won a landslide victory in a state election in
India with anti-Christian and anti-Muslim rhetoric. Defying every poll
forecast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Gujarat chief
minister Narendra Modi, won 126 ....
Christmas Brings Attacks on Christians | Published in 2003 |
January 13 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Six persons, including a 10-year-old girl, were seriously injured
when masked men armed with guns and grenades attacked worshippers at a
Christmas Eve Mass in the West Bengal city of Tehatta. The
Bengali-speaking gang arrived at the ....
U.S. Corporations Halt ‘Hate Funding’ Contributions | Published in 2003 |
January 13 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Leading information technology companies in the United States
suspended donations to an American-based charity following reports that
the organization channeled the funds to militant Hindu groups for use in
propaganda campaigns targeting ....
Causes and Effects of Anti-Conversion Law | Published in 2002 |
December 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Three weeks after becoming law, the Tamil Nadu Anti-Conversion Act
was already being misused. Sivan Seyal, a Hindu, accused Pastor Paul
Manickam of constructing a new church near his house without permission
of the local authorities. ....
Ian Stillman Freed | Published in 2002 |
December 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Ian Stillman, a missionary working with the deaf, was freed from an
Indian prison on the afternoon of December 7. A member of the Baptist
Church in Reading, United Kingdom, Stillman was arrested on August 30,
2000, in the foothills of ....
Prison Superintendent Faces Conversion Charges | Published in 2002 |
December 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— The Chief Superintendent of Prisons at Pondicherry Central Jail, G.
David, is facing a judicial inquiry after he was accused of forcibly
converting inmates to Christianity. The Munanni Hindu fundamentalist
group is demanding the ....
Violence Increases Against Christians | Published in 2002 |
December 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Violence against Christians has risen sharply over the past months in
India. In the early hours of November 2, an armed gang suspected of
links with Hindu militants attacked the Convent of St. Mary of the
Angels in Parthibanoor, Tamil ....
Christian Educators Accused Of Sexual Abuse | Published in 2002 |
November 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Accusations of sexual abuse and severe corporal punishment lodged
against teachers at missionary schools in the Ajmer district of
Rajasthan state, northern India, have surfaced simultaneously with
attempts to reconvert Christian families ....
Government Minister Threatens Tribal Christians | Published in 2002 |
November 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
— A recent spate of ethnic cleansing against Muslims in Gujarat state
reached genocidal proportions, and a similar assault may soon be
unleashed against India’s most threatened Christian community, the Dang
tribe, unless the central ....
Massive Protests Against Anti-Conversion Bill | Published in 2002 |
November 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
— More than 6,000 church-operated educational institutions in the state
of Tamil Nadu remained closed on October 24 and over a million
Christians participated in fasting and prayer in protest against a bill
known as the Prohibition of ....
Korean Missionaries Attacked | Published in 2002 |
October 11 (CDN) — (Compass)
— On September 22, eight Korean missionaries, including six women, were
mercilessly beaten in the city of Patna, in Bihar state, by militant
Bajrang Dal activists. The Hindu militants were keeping track of the
evangelistic activities of ....
Western Money Used to Target Christians | Published in 2002 |
October 11 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Money raised by Hindu organizations in Western countries is being
used to fund aggression against Christians and other minorities in
India. Non-profit organizations associated with Hindu extremist
organizations collected nearly one ....
Government Threatens to Abolish Minority Rights | Published in 2002 |
October 11 (CDN) — (Compass)
— The Indian church is being seriously threatened by government
attempts to abolish minority rights and enact legislation against
conversions. India’s federal government, led by the pro-Hindu BJP
party, is opposed to the concept of ....
Christian Evangelism Faces Opposition from Sikhs | Published in 2002 |
September 13 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- Tension between the Christian and Sikh communities flared after 22
Sikhs converted to Christianity in India’s newly formed Chattisgarh
state. A senior Sikh leader urged church leaders to stop evangelistic
outreaches and accused ....
Hindu Fundamentalists Accuse Nun of Murder | Published in 2002 |
September 13 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- On July 22, Sister Lucela Lakra of the Adoration Sisters of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary was viciously attacked by a group of Hindu
youth while on her way to church in the northeastern state of Assam. The
assailants accused the nun of ....
Media Spreads Conversion Scare Stories | Published in 2002 |
September 13 (CDN) — (Compass)
-- Christians living in Maharashtra state, the ideological source point
of Hindu fundamentalism, are being lambasted by a media campaign
featuring daily headlines of mass conversions to Christianity. Since the
beginning of August, the ....
Nun Jailed on Conversion Charges | Published in 2002 |
August 9 (CDN) — (Compass)
— On July 18, a Catholic nun was sentenced to six months imprisonment
for converting Hindus to Christianity. Sister Vrishi Ekka, a 56-year old
Ursuline nun, was jailed in Ambikapur in the central Indian state of
Chattisgarh on charges of ....
Ruling Party Supports Anti-Christian Activity | Published in 2002 |
August 9 (CDN) — (Compass)
— India’s ruling political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has
gone public with its anti-Christian agenda. On July 29, BJP
Vice-President Kailashpati Mishra accused Christian missionaries of
provoking large-scale violence in the ....
Gladys Staines Testifies in Murder Trial | Published in 2002 |
August 9 (CDN) — (Compass)
— On June 12, Gladys Staines, widow of Australian missionary Graham
Staines, made her first appearance in the district court of Orissa in
the trial of those accused of the brutal murder of her husband. Eleven
of the accused, including ....
Christians Forcibly ‘Reconverted’ to Hinduism | Published in 2002 |
July 18 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Over 5,000 Christians have been reconverted to Hinduism by the
militant World Hindu Council (Vishwa Hindu Parishad, or VHP) during the
past two years, the VHP revealed in mid June. The VHP is an organization
that is increasingly being ....
Politically Savvy Christians | Published in 2002 |
July 18 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Indian Christians are uniting votes with Muslims in Dhumka to defeat a
Hindu extremist candidate in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
heartland state of Jharkhand. Christians in Dhumka mobilized during the
last week of June and ....
Secret Circular Encourages Killing and Maiming of Christians | Published in 2002 |
July 18 (CDN) — (Compass)
— Raping Christian women during riots, selling Christian girls into the
flesh trade, recruiting doctors to dispense poisoned drugs and
assassinating anti-caste activists — these are only four of 34
anti-Christian tactics recommended in a ....
Family Refused Asylum | Published in 2002 |
June 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Janet and Robert Baker, with mixed British and Indian ancestry, fled
to the United Kingdom in May 2001. Hindu activists in India who objected
to the couple’s fervent Christianity had threatened and attacked the
family repeatedly since ....
Murder Trial Heats Up | Published in 2002 |
June 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The much-delayed trial in the murder of Australian missionary Graham
Staines and his two sons resumed on May 3. A prosecution witness
identified Dara Singh, the prime suspect, as the instigator of the
crime, along with three other ....
Leader Charged with Illegal Inducements in Conversions | Published in 2002 |
June 12 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Hindu fundamentalists registered a case against the Rev. Niranjan
Bardhan in Orissa state in late April, accusing him of converting poor
children by giving them food, clothes and study materials. But Bardhan
told Compass, «They are just ....
Christians Secretly Forced to Re-Convert to Hinduism | Published in 2002 |
May 13 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The World Hindu Organization (VHP) is secretly conducting large-scale
conversion drives in India’s Marxist-ruled state of West Bengal. More
than 16 tribal Christians were forced to re-convert to Hinduism on April
22 at a purification ....
Extremists Call for Extermination of Muslims and Christians | Published in 2002 |
May 13 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Shocking slogans have surfaced on the walls of Ahmedabad, Gujarat
state’s capital city and economic center, calling for the ethnic
cleansing of Christians after Muslims have been wiped out. Gujarat,
which has gained worldwide infamy as ....
Protestant Church Viciously Attacked | Published in 2002 |
May 13 (CDN) — (Compass)
- An armed group of about 60 Hindu fundamentalists attacked the
Protestant charismatic New Life Fellowship Church in Moodabidari in
India’s Karnataka state on Sunday, April 14. The Hindu militants accused
worshippers of converting local ....
New Attempt To Free Missionary’s Accused Murderer | Published in 2002 |
April 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
- In a bizarre twist to the Staines murder case, an accomplice has told
the court that he alone was involved in the killing, and that the prime
suspect, Dara Singh, and all others accused were innocent. Mahendra
Hembram confessed to his ....
Police Threaten To Burn Christians In Front Of Temple | Published in 2002 |
April 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Around 40 Christians of the New Life Fellowship (NLF) had gathered
for worship on February 8 at the home of a new believer in Nagpur, in
India’s Maharashtra state, when a mob of over 500 people surrounded them
and started pelting them ....
Hindu Extremists Rule Out Religious Conversion | Published in 2002 |
April 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Fresh controversy over the thorny issue of religious conversion in
India erupted during the sixth national round of talks between the Hindu
nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Christian leaders
when RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan ....
Fresh Waves Of Anti-Christian Propaganda | Published in 2002 |
March 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- On February 22, a senior member of the Legislative Council, G.
Madhusudan, accused Christian missionaries of “spying” for the Central
Intelligence Agency of the United States. Hindu fundamentalists are
“leaving no stone unturned, no ....
Missionaries Released | Published in 2002 |
March 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Two Christian missionaries and a new believer working in the newly
created state of Jharkand who were kidnapped on February 11 have been
released. Sources said that Gospel For Asia (GFA) workers were
abducted by anti-Christian forces ....
Rampaging Mob Levels Church | Published in 2002 |
March 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- A violent mob of over 80 men brandishing knives, iron rods and bricks
went on a rampage that destroyed the Holy Family Church and terrorized
worshippers on February 17 in Mysore, Karnataka state. Four persons had
to be rushed to the ....
Deaf British Christian Loses Appeal | Published in 2002 |
February 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- A deaf, 51-year-old Christian charity worker from the United Kingdom,
Ian Stillman, lost his appeal of drug smuggling charges in January and
faces 10 years in prison in India. “It is the worst miscarriage of
justice I have dealt with,” ....
Staines’ Alleged Killer Stands for Election | Published in 2002 |
February 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Indian Christians are appalled that the alleged murderer of
Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons is standing for
election to the state legislative assembly. Dara Singh, currently in
prison in Orissa state, is a candidate ....
Churches Are Vandalized | Published in 2002 |
February 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Churches and shrines in different parts of India faced a renewed
spate of vandalism in January. A popular shrine maintained by the
Sisters of Charity on Hennur Road in Bangalore, frequented by Christians
as well as people of other ....
Christians Become Politically Active | Published in 2001 |
December 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
- As Christians in Bangalore, capital city of the southern state of
Karnataka, unite and lobby for seats in local government elections,
Christians in the northern state of Punjab formed the first Christian
political party in India. The ....
Government Launches War on Terrorism and Missionaries | Published in 2001 |
December 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The Hindu fundamentalist government is planning to introduce two
bills that are being condemned as \"draconian\" by religious minorities
in India. The Christian community has taken strong exception to one
bill, the Foreign Contribution ....
Hindu and Christian Leaders Hold More Talks | Published in 2001 |
December 14 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Leaders of the militant Hindu umbrella organization, the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), met church leaders on November 27 for the fifth
round of talks at the national level, ironically a week before the RSS
was set to release a ....
Historic Anti-Caste Rally Repudiates Hinduism | Published in 2001 |
November 16 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Between 50,000 and 100,000 outcast Hindus descended on New Delhi on
Sunday, November 4, to participate in a historic anti-caste political
rally. Thousands of participants repudiated the oppression of the Hindu
caste system by converting ....
Violence Continues as Staines’ Assassin Pens Autobiography | Published in 2001 |
November 16 (CDN) — (Compass)
- On October 26, a gang of youths belonging to militant Hindu
organizations ransacked a hall where a gospel convention was taking
place at Bhatinda in the Punjab region. One of those leading the Hindu
protests said that they had sabotaged ....
Christians Find A Political Voice | Published in 2001 |
November 16 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Indian Christians have begun to take advantage of traditional
\"Christian strongholds\" as an opportunity for political action.
Christians in Bangalore, the \"evangelical capital\" of India, have
revolted against the Congress Party and ....
Hindu Fundamentalist Tells Christian Leaders to ‘Reinterpret Scriptures’ | Published in 2001 |
November 16 (CDN) — (Compass)
- In what is being regarded as a severe setback to recent talks between
Hindu fundamentalists and church leaders in India, RSS (Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh) chief K.S. Sudarshan has demanded that Christians
reinterpret their Scriptures. ....
Christians Continue To Face Persecution | Published in 2001 |
October 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Incidents of violence against Christian workers in northern India
continue to be reported despite talks between the leaders of the
mainline churches and Hindu fundamentalist organizations. On September
11, Christian booklets were burned ....
Communal And Criminal Mafia Target Church Properties | Published in 2001 |
October 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Valuable church properties in the state of Bihar in northern India
are under threat of seizure from communal elements backed by forces in
the state government. Christian missionaries and church leaders in
Patna, the capital of Bihar, ....
Hindu-Christian Dialogue Comes Under Fire | Published in 2001 |
October 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Various Christian organizations have criticized recent attempts at
dialogue between Hindu fundamentalist organizations and Christian
churches in India. The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) had
met the militant Rashtriya ....
Prime Minister Makes Anti-Christian Statements | Published in 2001 |
September 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- On August 15, statements made by India’s Prime Minister Atal Behari
Vajpayee during a book release gathering startled Christians in India.
\"There is a conversion motive behind the welfare activities being
carried out by some Christian ....
Christian and Hindu Leaders Hold Talks | Published in 2001 |
September 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Catholic church leaders met on August 21 with chiefs of the Hindu
fundamentalist Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) in what is being seen
as one of the most significant developments since the persecution of
Christians in India began under ....
More ‘Christian-Bashing’ | Published in 2001 |
September 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Three Catholic nuns escorting orphan children on a picnic were
severely beaten with sticks and cudgels by over 30 Hindu activists in
Dahod town of Gujarat state on August 25. On August 13, another nun and a
missionary were beaten by ....
Christian Converts Forced to Return to Hinduism | Published in 2001 |
August 24 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Nineteen villagers who recently embraced Christianity have been
forced to re-convert to Hinduism in the Kendrapada district in India’s
Orissa state after undergoing sustained social ostracism from their
fellow villagers. They are also ....
Government Clarifies Anti-Christian Legislation | Published in 2001 |
August 24 (CDN) — (Compass)
- India’s pro-Hindu government is seriously considering a bill seeking a
ban on religious conversion throughout the country. The bill brought
protests from opposition parties and Christian organizations all over
the country on July 27. The ....
Hindu Extremists Shoot Nun, Beat Priest and Assault Evangelists | Published in 2001 |
August 24 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Three separate incidents of violence took place against Christians in
India during the first week of August. Four Hindu fundamentalists shot a
Catholic nun at point-blank range in Madhya Pradesh on August 7. She is
alive but in critical ....
Villagers Say ‘No’ to Hinduization of Education | Published in 2001 |
July 20 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Villagers in India’s Goa region have begun their battle against a
Hindu extremist takeover of primary education. When schools reopened on
June 6 after the summer vacation, the villagers organized to form the
Committee for the Protection ....
‘Hit List’ of Christian Evangelists on Hindu Extremist Website | Published in 2001 |
July 20 (CDN) — (Compass)
- A militant Hindu hate website displaying the names of international
evangelists, secular and Christian scholars from India, and other
«enemies of Hinduism» on its «hit-list» was back on-line after it was
salvaged by a radical Jewish ....
Bajrang Dal Training its Members in Armed Warfare | Published in 2001 |
July 20 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The Bajrang Dal, a militant Hindu organization, has begun in late
June to train its members in armed warfare to combat the threat of
«instability to the nation» posed by Christian missionaries and ISI
agents (Pakistan Intelligence). ....
The Dangs - A Story of Perseverance | Published in 2001 |
July 20 (CDN) — (Compass)
- One of the greatest triumphs of indigenous missionary activity in
recent years has been the conversion of animist tribals to Christianity
in the Dangs district of India’s Gujarat state. Christianity in the
Dangs is about a century old. ....
Caste System Worse than Racism | Published in 2001 |
June 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The Indian government is receiving increasing criticism for its
attempts to scuttle a discussion on the caste system during the upcoming
World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa. On May 7, a
group of 40 prominent ....
Goa State Facing ‘Saffronization’ of Education | Published in 2001 |
June 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Christian aboriginals in Goa state were suddenly deprived in late May
of benefits leading to higher education as the pro-Hindu coalition
government removed their names from a list to receive state benefits as
underprivileged communities. ....
Hindu Militants Prevent Christian Burial | Published in 2001 |
June 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Police and civil authorities in India’s Gujarat state remained mute
spectators as a violent mob led by Hindu militants blocked the burial of
an Indian Christian on May 28 in Kapadwanj. His family had decided to
bury him at the local ....
Thousands Protest Missionary Deaths | Published in 2001 |
June 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Tens of thousands of Christians demonstrated throughout northeast
India’s Manipur state and neighboring states to protest the killing of
three Catholic missionaries. Suspected separatist militants gunned down
the Salesian priests outside ....
Rapists’ Convictions Significant | Published in 2001 |
May 18 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The sentencing of 10 men who gang-raped four nuns is being hailed as
significant for the church in India. The men were sentenced on April 28
to life in prison for the attack, which occurred before dawn on
September 23, 1998, at the ....
Relief Groups Challenge Hindu Fundamentalists | Published in 2001 |
May 18 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Christian volunteer groups working in the worst areas of
earthquake-hit Gujarat state in western India and who have been targeted
by Hindu fundamentalists are taking a stand against the attacks. In an
emergency meeting called on April 4, ....
Singled Out for Violating Religious Freedom | Published in 2001 |
May 18 (CDN) — (Compass)
- India is close to being labeled a «country of particular concern» for
violating religious freedom and failing to safeguard the rights of
religious minorities, according to the U.S. Commission on International
Religious Freedom. It called ....
Key Witness Backtracks in Dara Singh Trial | Published in 2001 |
April 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The murder trial of Dara Singh in the deaths of Australian missionary
Graham Staines and his two sons floundered on its second day. A key
prosecution witness did an about-face April 4 claiming that the police
forced him to sign the First ....
Three Militants Arrested for Burning a Bible | Published in 2001 |
April 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Police arrested three members of a group of Hindu militants suspected
of burning a Bible during a March 22 Christian prayer meeting in the
southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. A group of 16 people stormed
the dais, slapped the ....
Census Discriminates against ‘Untouchable’ Christians | Published in 2001 |
April 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Indian Christians from Dalit (untouchable) and other backward castes
will have their identities permanently erased and state benefits
withdrawn if the registrar general of India, and Census Commissioner Mr.
Jayant K. Banthia, have their ....
Christian Volunteers Protest Harassment by Hindu Extremists | Published in 2001 |
April 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Students from Nirmala Niketan, a Bombay-based Catholic institution
and India’s prestigious College of Social Work for women, have
complained that they were constantly harassed by various outfits of the
Sangh Parivar while on a relief ....
Christians Wary of Dialogue with Hindu Extremists | Published in 2001 |
April 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Christian leaders in India are divided over a controversial move by
the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) to arrange a \"dialogue\"
with the Sangh Parivar, a group of radical Hindu organizations accused
of perpetrating violence ....
Dara Singh Murder Trial Begins | Published in 2001 |
March 23 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The trial of Dara Singh, the main suspect in the 1999 murder of
Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, has begun in the
Indian state of Orissa. After several delays, the trial began on March 1
with witnesses testifying ....
Mob Attacks Church | Published in 2001 |
March 23 (CDN) — (Compass)
- A fundamentalist Hindu mob attacked a church in the eastern Indian
state of Tripura on February 25 as Christians were attending the Sunday
service. The mob forced the pastor to stop the service. Fundamentalist
Hindus are adamant that ....
Dalai Lama Disappoints India’s Christians | Published in 2001 |
February 16 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The Dalai Lama disappointed India’s Christians by standing alongside
Hindu extremists and rebuking Christians and Muslims for trying to
convert others to their religions. \"I always believe it’s safer and
better and reasonable to keep ....
Christian Workers Beaten for Showing ‘Jesus’ Film | Published in 2001 |
January 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Members of the radical Hindu group the Bajrang Dal beat two Christian
workers, David Massey and Simon Sakria, for more than two hours on
January 4 for showing a Jesus film in Jehra, a remote village on the
Rajasthan-Gujarat border in ....
Church Leader Warns of More Violence | Published in 2001 |
January 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
- A prominent Indian church leader is warning of a possible bloodbath
against Christians by Hindu fundamentalists. Joseph D’Souza, president
of the All India Christian Council, said that although everything seems
quiet on the surface, the ....
Christians Protest Extremists’ Terror Tactics | Published in 2000 |
December 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Violence has once again broken out against Christians in India after
K.S. Sudershan, leader of the Hindu extremist Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh (RSS), called for the Indianization of the national Christian
church and Islam. One of the RSS ....
Church Desecrated by Hindu Extremists | Published in 2000 |
December 15 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Nearly 200 members of two extremist Hindu organizations stormed the
Evangelical Church of India in Gujarat state on November 26. The
Christian community expressed shock at the desecration of the church and
the attempt to take possession ....
Attacks Increase in Lawless Orissa State | Published in 2000 |
November 17 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Following new attacks on Christians by members of Hindu
fundamentalist groups, church leaders in India are expressing concern
that the Orissa state government is anti-minority. The general secretary
of the Evangelical Fellowship of ....
Evangelicals Tone Down ‘Spiritual Battle’ Language | Published in 2000 |
November 17 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The Evangelical Fellowship of India has issued a statement urging
Christian leaders to tone down \"spiritual battle\" language. They hope
to prevent Hindu fundamentalist groups from taking advantage of
inflammatory words to paint ....
Boy Sentenced in Staines Murder | Published in 2000 |
October 20 (CDN) — (Compass)
- On October 2, a special court in Orissa convicted a 13-year-old boy
in connection with the brutal murder of Australian missionary Graham
Staines and his two sons in January 1999. A special Central Bureau of
Investigation judge sentenced ....
Hindu Groups Exploit Nun’s Misdeed | Published in 2000 |
October 20 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Hindu groups in the Indian state of West Bengal are trying to exploit
an incident involving a Catholic nun associated with the Missionaries
of Charity founded by Mother Teresa. The controversy began after Sister
Francesca admitted on ....
RSS to Discuss Role of Foreign Missionaries | Published in 2000 |
October 20 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The Hindu fundamentalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) plans to
hold a three-day meeting in the Indian city of Agra to discuss the role
of foreign Christian missionaries in the country. Nearly 75,000 members
of the RSS are expected ....
Church Desecrated | Published in 2000 |
September 22 (CDN) — (Compass)
- A Catholic church in northern Karnataka province was desecrated on
September 7. Police said vandals broke into the Sacred Heart Catholic
Church in Bidar, broke glass panes encasing a statue of Mary and
sprinkled vermilion on the statue. ....
Minorities Commission Accuses Government of Bias | Published in 2000 |
September 22 (CDN) — (Compass)
- In a September 1 report, the National Commission for Minorities said
that during its interaction with members of minority communities in
Gujarat, Christians had complained of attacks on their right to freedom
of religion. The Commission ....
More Anti-Christian Accusations | Published in 2000 |
August 18 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The working president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Ashok
Singhal, told a gathering of Hindu priests in New Delhi on July 30 that
the motive of Christians is not the welfare of people. He said
Christians were working under a ....
Christian Leaders Refuse to Meet Hindu Extremists | Published in 2000 |
July 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Christian leaders in India have refused to attend a meeting organized
by the National Minority Commission in New Delhi with Hindu political
groups Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Church leaders said that
the church is ready for ....
Christians Face New Century with Confidence | Published in 2000 |
June 23 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Christians in India continue to be harassed and persecuted. According
to church leaders, the Sangh Parivar (family of Hindu fundamentalist
groups) sponsors much of it in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. These states
have become the laboratory ....
Attacks Against Christians Continue | Published in 2000 |
May 19 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Hindu fundamentalists have stepped up their attacks against
Christians in the Indian states of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
In the latest incident, masked men attacked nuns on May 2 in the town of
Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh and ....
Fascist Tendency Growing | Published in 2000 |
April 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- A civic group in India is expressing concern over the growing
\"fascist tendency\" in Indian political and civil society. A statement
issued in New Delhi on April 2 by the Insaani Ekta Muhim said the
increased attacks by Hindu ....
No Bail for Staines’ Accused Murderer | Published in 2000 |
April 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- A court in India has refused bail to Dara Singh, accused in the
murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons in
January 1999. Singh was remanded to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Singh is said to have a ....
School Ransacked and Priest Attacked | Published in 2000 |
April 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Ten attackers armed with sticks, knives and iron rods broke into the
Christ Vihar Hindi-Medium Primary School in India’s Uttar Pradesh state
on March 31. They beat, threatened and robbed Father Skylark George, a
27-year-old priest who ....
Government Riled by Criticism of Religious Intolerance | Published in 2000 |
March 17 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The Indian government on February 27 rejected a United States report
on religious freedom that criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janatha Party
(BJP) for societal violence against Christians and Muslims. A spokesman
for the Foreign Ministry ....
Gujarat State Withdraws Anti-Conversion Bill | Published in 2000 |
March 17 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The Gujarat state government withdrew the controversial 1999 Gujarat
Freedom of Religion Bill on February 23 after Christians and other
groups protested against it. The government was also under pressure to
scrap the bill after ....
Christian Nephew of Indian Parliament Member Attacked | Published in 2000 |
February 18 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Police in Madhya Pradesh watched as fundamentalist Hindus attacked
the Christian nephew of Arun Shourie, a prominent journalist and member
of India’s upper house of Parliament. Chandrakant Shourie, his wife,
their son and some friends ....
Gujarat State Considers Conversion Restrictions | Published in 2000 |
February 18 (CDN) — (Compass)
- The Gujarat state assembly plans to debate a controversial conversion
bill aimed at Christians in its current February-March session. The
Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, introduced by a Bharatiya Janatha Party
(BJP) Assembly member in ....
Staines’ Killer Arrested | Published in 2000 |
February 18 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Christians in India welcomed the arrest of Dara Singh, the mastermind
behind the killing of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two
sons in January 1999. Singh was captured on January 31 after eluding
authorities for more than a ....
Hindu Extremists Keep Up Pressure on Christians | Published in 2000 |
January 21 (CDN) — (Compass)
- Hindu fundamentalist demonstrators threatened members of a Campus
Crusade center on Christmas Day in Palam Vihar village. The
demonstrations continued until December 27 and stopped only after police
intervention. The Hindu groups have ....
| ||||