Photo via mnnonline.org

Extremist violence in India disrupts Christian project

A mob of anti-Christian extremists tried to murder a Gospel for Asia-supported missionary working at a Jesus Well drilling site in Jharkhand state, where anti-conversion laws are in force, reports MNN.

KP Yohannan with Gospel For Asia (GFA) says the trouble started when "this group of people said, �?You guys are drilling this well because you want to use this to convert people to Christianity.'"

The well-drilling team arrived in the village on April 3rd where missionary Bala Nunwate serves. Bala, along with ministry intern Vincey Rao and the men who work for the well-drilling contractor, began working. About 20 minutes later, a mob of people who belong to a well-known, violent anti-Christian group showed up and tried to attack Bala. He managed to escape from their grasp, but the mob grabbed Vincey and the drilling crew chief.

The attackers badly beat Vincey and forced him to sign a statement saying that he was an outsider who came to the village to convert people to Christianity. They threatened to take his life unless he signed the paper. After he signed it, they sent him away. It is illegal in many Indian states to convert people to Christianity by using force or allurement. These anti-conversion laws are ironically called "freedom of religion" laws.

After he was released, Vincey found himself in a dilemma. He was unfamiliar with the village, so he hid out in a rice paddy overnight. At daylight, Vincey found his way back to the church. The other GFA workers took him to the hospital to treat his wounds and then to the police station.

The extremists also badly beat the drilling crew chief. He was also able to escape and go the local police, who took him to the hospital for treatment.

GFA officials had to go to the police station and file reports about the crime and the fact that the mob had taken the drilling equipment and the missionaries' bicycles. Later in the day, the officials were able to meet with the superintendent of police, who helped them recover their equipment from the mob.

Yohannan says the setback is disappointing. "Through prayer and hard work, we saw breakthroughs. I'm told now that they had to abandon this particular project. But they'll keep praying and hoping that God will do a miracle. They hope to be able to go back and complete this project because it is going to help so many people."

Yohannan says trouble will continue, but not for religious reasons. "The truth of the matter is that these persecutions are happening. I don't think it has anything to do with conversions. The real issue is a power struggle."

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TAGS: India extremist violence Christian project Jesus Well Gospel For Asia persecution

[04/08/2009]

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