Contact: Taun Cortado, 972-300-3379; Larry Jerden, 972-300-3134
CARROLLTON, Texas, August 25 /Christian Newswire/ -- At least one Gospel for Asia missionary has been attacked, churches and homes have been destroyed and Christians are fleeing for their lives in India's Orissa state in the wake of the murder of a leading anti-Christian activist leader. A GFA correspondent has reported that as night fell Sunday on Orissa, "the roads are being blocked by felling trees, and attacks on Christians have started." Last Christmas, during similar attacks, the anti-Christian militants also blocked off roads into the area of their attacks to hinder the arrival of government forces.
Saturday night, Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, a top leader of the VHP (World Hindu Council), was killed in an attack by 20 men, suspected of being Maoist rebels. The Maoists had earlier warned the swami to leave the area. The attack, which included gunfire and a hand grenade, also killed four other people. It took place during a religious celebration.
While Maoist rebels are the major suspects, Hindu radicals are using the death as an excuse to increase their attacks on Christians in Orissa. The swami was an outspoken critic of tribals and lower caste Indians becoming Christians, and last December, a similar attack on him incited severe repercussions that resulted in numerous Christian deaths and dozens of burned churches and caused hundreds of believers to flee for their lives into the jungles.
The swami's ultimate goal was to have India declared a "Hindu nation," and to halt the growth of both Christianity and Islam on the subcontinent.
The GFA correspondent reported that in the wake of his death, "several church buildings are destroyed, Christian houses are torched and Christians under attack." One GFA missionary, Jeebaratna Lima, was attacked while en route to conduct Sunday services. "He was attacked by a mob and they were almost setting him on fire but the fire did not catch," reported the correspondent. "By God's grace, the police rescued him and have taken custody of him. We are trying to get him released."
Local government authorities have posted some police personnel at the local GFA Bible College, and advised the Christians "not to venture out."
"We thank God that the government officials are protecting our campus and our people." said GFA President K.P.Yohannan, "That is a true blessing." A late report noted that a mob destroyed one church by hurling bombs "and are on rampage to destroy several Christian houses. The condition may be same with other churches all over Orissa."
GFA has dozens of missionaries in the district where the attack took place, who work with more than 30 churches and numerous mission stations. "The fundamentalist groups have always opposed us," noted one GFA worker, "and now there is great tension prevailing, and Christians are running away for their lives."
Three leading Hindu groups, the VHP; the radical RSS, which specialized in organizing street gangs, and BJP nationalist political party, have called for a bandh (an illegal strike that uses intimidation to keep everyone indoors) for Monday, and the government has put security forces on high alert.
"Having ministered in Orissa, I can only imagine the plight of these tribal believers, forced to run for their lives into the jungle," K.P. said. "My heart goes out to the missionaries and believers. We must pray with all earnestness for the suffering church in Orissa at this time."
GFA leaders in India have called for earnest prayer for protection of Christians and for harmony and peace among the various communities in Orissa. Specifically, they ask for prayer that:
1. This unfortunate event will not be used to incite communal violence and target innocent Christians.
2. The life of Christians, pastors and leaders will be protected, as well as the church buildings.
3. That our pastors and believers who have been targeted in the past will be spared.
4. That our state office and Bible college campus and all the students and staff will be safe.
5. That the government will handle the situation ably so that the lives of innocent people will be saved and there will peace and harmony among all the people of the state.
Gospel for Asia is an evangelical mission organization based in Carrollton involved in sharing the love of Jesus across South Asia.
