India (MNN) — 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.
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.
Pray that the truth will come out and that justice will reign for
these falsely-accused believers. Pray for strength of faith, and ask God to
protect and encourage other believers in India as they share the Gospel.
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