Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: November 12, 2022
The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. (Psalm 118:6)
Pray the encouragement of this verse over Christians in India, that they would know God is with them today.
Christians attacked in Sukma District, Chhattisgarh
On the evening of 21 October, a group of Christians were gathered to pray when a mob of Hindu fundamentalists burst in and assaulted them, demanding that they abandon their faith.
This was a private meeting in someone’s home – it could have been like the prayer meetings we held this week for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Pray that Christians across India would be free to gather safely, just as we are.
Attacked again while seeking justice
The morning after the attack, the victims attempted to file a First Information Report (a report needed to open a police investigation). However, the Station House Officer verbally abused them and refused to accept their complaint.
On 23 October, the Christians returned to the police station again to try to register their complaint.
This time, on orders of the Station House Officer, they were beaten by two police officers – one of whom had been involved in the initial attack while he was off duty.
It is extremely worrying that those who are meant to uphold the law are complicit in these attacks on Christians – both in their own homes and as they seek justice.
The Station House Officer later claimed that he was under orders not to register First Information Reports for incidents of Christian oppression in the district – an extremely worrying claim in itself. As yet, their complaint has not been registered .
Please pray:
- That the victims of this attack will receive all the medical and legal support they need to recover – both physically and emotionally – and to secure justice.
- That the authorities in Chhattisgarh will take firm legal action against the perpetrators – including the police personnel who had a hand in these incidents.
- That the Indian government will do more to protect Christians and other religious minorities from being targeted, particularly by right-wing fundamentalists.