Violence against Christians erupts again in Orissa

Government forced to impose curfew, issue shoot-at-sight order

Click below to hear a Mission India staff member talk with Mission Network News about the situation in Orissa

August 28, 2008

For the second time in less than a year, persecution has exploded against believers in the eastern state of Orissa following the recent murder of a high profile Hindu extremist leader who had been calling for his followers to kill Christians.

According to Compass Direct News, at least 21 people have been confirmed dead in more than 100 incidents of violence against Christians following the August 23 murder of Swamiji Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others by suspected communist insurgents.

In the hardest-hit Kandhamal region, at least 400 churches and 500 houses have been destroyed.

Though a group of communist insurgents known as Maoists have claimed responsibility for Saraswati's murder, Hindus extremists have accused Christians in Orissa of being behind the leader's death, Compass Direct News reported.

According to the Indian national newspaper Times of India, government leaders in Orissa have imposed a curfew in the wake of large-scale violence and have been forced to issue police shoot-at-sight orders for those violating the curfew.

Saraswati is suspected of being the mastermind behind similar violence by Hindu extremists against Christians that erupted on December 24, 2007. During that ten-day period as extremists looted and rioted, over 800 Christians suffered physical attacks, at least 4 Christians were killed, at least 95 churches were destroyed, over 700 homes were damaged or destroyed by fire, and thousands of believers were left homeless.

We are receiving fresh reports daily of churches, Christian orphanages, and believers' homes being burned or destroyed, gang rapes, and Christians fleeing to the jungles to escape further violence. One pastor was reportedly burned alive.

Ministry partners running our Adult Literacy Classes, Church Planter Training programs, and Children's Bible Clubs as well as our own ministry staff have been affected by the continuing violence.

  • One staff member's brother-in-law was killed & his family members' homes were torched
  • At least 6 churches of partners have been burned
  • Fire destroyed the homes of many partners and their family members
  • Some partners and ministry staff were forced to flee to the jungle for safety

One of Mission India's staff members working in Orissa sent the following report:

Just 10 minutes ago, hundreds of people went by on bikes shouting against Christians in front of my house. We do not know what the situation will be, leaving our lives to God only. Kindly pray for us.

Another staff member in Orissa sent a message praising God for His protection during an attack on one village:

In the night (thousands) of men went to put the entire village on fire, but by God's grace there was a heavy rain and they could do nothing. The villagers are praising God for protecting them.

Orissa is one of six states in India that have passed “Freedom of Religion” Acts that require people to get government permission before they can become Christians or be baptized.

Violence against Christians is not new in Orissa, where just 2.4% out of 36.8 million people are followers of Jesus. In 1999, a Hindu mob set fire to the car of Australian missionary Graham Staines, killing him and his two young sons.

You can help Christians sharing the Gospel in India

Believers in Orissa and across India need your prayers as they cling to their faith in Jesus during this frightening ordeal. Your gifts will also help support Mission India's three outreach programs: Bible-based Adult Literacy Classes, Children's Bible Clubs, and Church Planter Training.

For more information or to make a donation over the phone, please call us at (877) 644-6342.