India
(MNN) – Seven bombs blasted the walled city of Jaipur, Rajasthan over a period of 20 minutes
on May 14, close to a Gospel for Asia Bible college and Bridge of Hope
Center. The blasts injured over 200
people, and BBC News reports that 63 people have died. No one connected with GFA was hurt.
GFA’s 54 Bible colleges train native missionaries for the
mission field. At Bridge of Hope
centers, Dalit children receive food, education, and medical checkups.
In India,
Dalits or “Untouchables” are despised as members of the lowest caste. They live lives of virtual slavery, unable to
obtain property, an education or escape from their caste. GFA’s child sponsorship program gives
opportunities to Dalit children that they would never have otherwise, including
the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Christ.
Police suspect that Islamic extremists used bicycles to
plant the bombs, although they have not established a motive for the
attack. The bombs were planted in a busy
marketplace and near a popular Hindu temple. Eight bombs were planted, but one failed to
detonate.
Most residents of Jaipur are Hindu, but a large Muslim
minority also lives in the city which spent at least 2 days under a curfew. It is a popular tourist destination.
The BBC reports that the police have released a sketch of
the suspect and are investigating an e-mail from the “Indian Mujahideen”
claiming responsibility for the attacks.
