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Persecution continues; Indian Christians accused of murder

The Voice of the Martyrs stands with and supports persecuted believers in India. Join them in praying for falsely-accused Christians Kasna Tahed, Ramesh Tahed, Vasna Tahed, and Pastor Kamlesh Tahed, reports MNN.

In a fight between two clans in Madhya Pradesh, Compass Direct News reports a young man was murdered, and Hindus accused Christians of the crime. Roop Singh Baria was killed in violence between the Baria and Tahed clans regarding 1,000 rupees, or $20 U.S. Members of the Baria clan accused Pastor Ramesh and three other believers of murder when reporting the incident to police. At last report, Pastor Tahed was in hiding, and the three other believers were in police custody.

"I once was one of them," Pastor Tahed said following the incident. "But in the 20 years since I became a Christian, they have been dragging me into false crimes; they hate me for my work of evangelism."

Pastor Tahed was jailed in 2001 for 20 days on false charges of "forcible conversion." After a costly court battle which proved his innocence, the pastor was released.

According to VOM, persecution has spread nearly everywhere in India as radical Hindus seek to "purify" India of all other religions. Many Christians have been beaten or subjected to other acts of violence. In late August and early September 2008, Hindu radicals killed over 100 people and left approximately 70,000 homeless.

Despite intense persecution, many believers rejoice in their suffering; they see it as testimony to Christ's victory in their lives.

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TAGS: India Voice of the Martyrs persecution falsely accused evangelism anti-Christian violence

[09/16/2009]

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