India (MNN) — A mob of
fundamentalist Hindu women attacked 12 believers in India's Punjab State. Grand
Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India says one of their church planters was
leading a day of fasting and prayer in the home of a new Christian.
Around 20 women surrounded the
group, shouted anti-christian slurs at them, and threw rocks. The meeting's host, Balaram, was hit in the
head, and the female-led mob fled when he fell to the ground unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital and required 8
stitches in his head. Other believers also suffered minor injuries.
Police were called, but they told
the Christians to stop holding the prayer meeting.
Mission India reports that earlier
that day, four local women had approached the Church Planter and other
believers and warned them to renounce
their faith in Jesus and stop meeting for prayer, or they would face
"dire consequences."
The
ministry goes on to say that the village sarpanch, or elected leader, apparently
had been encouraging such attacks on Christians.
Though the police so far have
refused to file charges against the attackers, the believers have not yet given
up hope for justice.
Pray both for boldness in their
faith and for the freedom to follow Christ.
