Source: www.persecution.org
Date: Septemb 3, 2021
India (International Christian Concern) –On August 4th, Pastor Shyamanand was asked to report to his village meeting in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state. When he got there, a mob of 100 radical Hindu nationalists had gathered from three villages, and began accusing him of forcefully converting people to Christianity. They demanded that he shut down his worship services, and ordered him to partake in a purification ritual to reconvert to the Hindu faith.
Speaking to ICC, Pastor Shyamanand said, “I knew the trouble brewing against me, I told the village head in front of mob, I am not going to leave Jesus and my faith, even if it costs me my life.”
When he refused to leave the Christian faith, the mob got furious. They threatened the Pastor and told him that they would file a police report against him under the state’s anti-conversion law. The meeting then ended, but was set to resume the following morning.
Sensing the possible arrest, Pastor Shyamanand fled the village and went into hiding for 18 days. He explained to ICC, “Nothing was favorable to me in that situation, and I thought running away is the only option to avoid jail, so I was away for 18 days from my home and my family.”
After taking advice from legal experts and Christian leaders, Pastor Shyamanand surrendered at the police station on August 21st. He was kept for two days and was finally released after intervention from Christian lawyers.
“I have been getting threatening calls ever since I was cleared at the police station,” Shyamanand told ICC. “People demanding me either to convert back to the Hindu religion or leave the village. The three worship services I used to conduct are being close down… I do not know how to move forward with this kind of situation, please pray for me.”
Incidents of religious persecution continue to rise in India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh. State-based Freedom of Religion Acts, more popularly known as anti-conversion laws, are among the most sinister policies enacted by BJP-led governments that have increased hostility against India’s religious minorities. These laws have been used to spread disinformation about minorities and provide legal cover for radical Hindu nationalists and their activities.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for protection for Pastor Shyamanand and his family. Pray for these extremists to come to know the love of Christ. Pray for equal rights for members of India’s Christian community. Please pray for for all of those in India and around the world who are being persecuted for their faith.