Each year, millions of pilgrims journey to the town of Tirupati in the Chitoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India to visit its sacred Hindu sites. Especially prominent is the nearby shrine to the Hindu god, Lord Venkateshwara in the hills of Tirumala. According to an August 21 report from the Hindustan Times, a number of Hindu pilgrims complained to authorities after Christians were found preaching near the shrine and handing out pamphlets. The state government has responded by introducing legislation that would ban the propagation of any faith other than Hinduism in the area. If the legislation is passed, those preaching any other religion could face imprisonment and fines of 2000 Rupees (U.S $45). Those attempting to convert people to religions other than Hinduism could be imprisoned for 2 years.

While India is officially a secular nation, the dominance of Hinduism affects many aspects of the culture and is the basis for anti-conversion legislation in several Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh. A state legislation that only allows for the preaching of Hinduism, however, completely contradicts India's secular constitution.

Pray that, like the first century Christians, Indian Christians will actually become bolder witnesses because of the increased persecution (Acts 4:29-31). Pray that they will respond with love and compassion toward those who oppose them (Romans 12:17-21). Pray that those who are working to enforce anti-conversion laws will be saved by God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Source: http://www.persecution.com.au/news/article.asp?artID=%7B46B2863A-D05D-4953-83BD-966F876B36A4%7D

2. INDIAN PASTOR FORCED FROM HOME FOR NOT BOWING TO HINDU GODS

On the evening of August 21, a group of militant Hindus broke into the home of Pastor Joseph (50) in the village of Kodambi in Karnataka state. The attackers accused him of not bowing before the Hindu gods and of converting Hindus to Christianity. They hauled him and all his possessions to a police station twenty miles away where police took him into custody but released him after a short time.

2 Christian leaders in the area, Pastor Johnson and David Chacko, heard of the attack and wanted to help resolve the issue. As the men were leaving for the police station on August 23, they were severely beaten and dragged to the police station where they were detained for a short time. Militants also chased an evangelist named Pastor Chandrakanth from the village and have been searching for other evangelists. Chandrakanth has taken shelter in a nearby city so he can continue his evangelistic work, despite the opposition.

Pray that these pastors will remain faithful to the task to which God has called them (1 Peter 5:1-4). Pray that they will rest in the knowledge that God is in control and has their best interests in mind (Jeremiah 29:11). Pray that the Holy Spirit will work through their testimony to bring the persecutors to Himself (Romans 12:14, 21, Matthew 5:14-16).

Source: http://swordandspirit.com/WORKSHOP/PERSECUTION/persecution_060830.ppt

3. CHRISTIANS ARRESTED IN JAMMU & KASHMIR

Two pastors and six Christian students were granted bail after being arrested by the police in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) yesterday. Arrested under Section 109 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) which deals with registration of non-locals in the J&K territory, the Christians were kept for over 20 hours at the local police station before being produced before the Magistrate early on September 1, 2006.

When contacted by Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) expressed concern over the recent complaints and agitations against the Christian community in Kathua District. He had also assured EFI that the Christians were treated with dignity and given proper accommodations while at the police station. The Magistrate released the Christians on bail finally after a personal surety was given for them by a local Christian.

Source: Persecution.Org

Pray for the Pastors, Students and the Christian community in Kathua.