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Christian family boycotted in West Bengal

On Nov 28 in Natungram, Murshidabad, West Bengal, alleged Muslims radical boycotted a convert Christian woman from Islam and threaten to impose a fine on her if she continues to follow Jesus Christ. Chanda Babi and her family, who is running a milk business, accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord in February this year. The radicals for the last few months were pestering the Christian family and threatened them not to attend the church services or face dire consequence. They also urged Babi’s family to isolate themselves from all the neighbors. However, Babi and her family continues to follow Christ, the Muslim radicals on Nov 28 ordered the villagers not to buy milk from Babi and ordered shopkeepers not to sell anything to her. They further threatened Babi that they will impose a huge fine if her family continues to believe in Christ. Please pray for peace as the area has been witnessing several anti-Christian incidents for the past two years.
 

Pastor assaulted in Uttrakhand

Uttrakhand Police on Nov 9 arrested a pastor  on false charge of ’forceful conversion’ and threatened to harm his life in village Ravli mehdud, Haridwar. Police officers barged into the prayer meeting conducted by Pastor Manoj Kumar of the Indian Pentecostal Assemblies and forcefully took him and two church members. It was also alleged that the police continued assaulting the pastor, threatened to harm his life and made derogatory remarks against Jesus Christ and Christian’s community.
 

Church demolished in Karnataka

On 5 December in Kengeri, Bangalore, alleged Hindu extremists pressurized the Slum Board administrative to demolished Gypsy Prayer Church. The extremists barged into the prayer hall and disrupted the prayer meeting conducted by Pastor Rajesh. They filed a complaint against the Christians to the Slum Board committee and pressured them to issue an order to get the church demolished. Under pressured, the board subsequently issued an order to demolish the church.
 

4 Christians arrested in Karnataka

Karnataka police arrested four Christians after alleged Hindu extremists from the Bajrang Dal disrupted their prayer meeting, verbally abused them for their faith and dragged them to the police station on 5 December in Basavanagudi, Shimago. A mob of about 25 Bajrang Dal barged into prayer meeting attended by the Immanuel Church elder Kamalamma  and her three children Choudamma, Parvathi and Chandru. As the Christians started praying, a group of about 25 Bajranga Dal activists suddenly barged in, pounced upon them and dragged them to the Vinobanagara Police Station accusing them of forceful conversion. The Christians were charged under Sections 153-A and 298 of the Indian Penal Code and were sent to Distrcit Shimago Jail later that day.
 

Christian lady threatened with Rape in Karnataka

On 2 Decemberi in Hova Maru, near Banglalore, a mob of about 20 alleged Hindu extremists led by Majunath threatened to rape a Christian convert woman if she did not convert back to Hinduism. The Hindu extremists confronted a convert Christian lady identified only as Vijayalakshmi, called her a pagan saying that they would teach her a lesson. It was reported that the extremists verbally abuse and threatened her that they would stop at nothing short of raping her one of these days. Later the enraged extremists shouting anti- Christian slogan went near the church premises and started threatening the pastor and church members to stop following Christ or face dire consequences. The Christian lady reported the matter to the police but no action taken

Nuncio tells Christians to unite

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio has urged Christian denominations in India to be united to witness Christ in the country. “Our divisions are contrary to the will of Jesus and they disappoint people’s expectations,” the papal representative told some 300 Church leaders in Pune. The Catholic diocese of Poona organized the ecumenical meeting with the theme “Followers of Christ, Unite.”

Archbishop Pennacchio said differences in doctrines and theological perspectives have hindered Christian unity. “Christ knew that there would be differences among his followers. But he also knew a day would come when we would try to resolve the discord, disagreement and division,” he added. The nuncio welcomed ecumenical interaction and dialogue taking place in various parts of the country and added that openness to the truth would hasten Christian unity.

The quest for Christian unity is “not a matter of choice but a duty because we are urged to seek the truth, the truth that will set us free.” Bishop Thomas Dabre of Poona said the Christian unity was a top priority for the Catholic Church in India. “Division among Christians is a wound on the body of Christ,” he said. The prelate said he has received “excellent collaboration” from all Christian denominations after he took over the diocese eight months ago.

Church of North India Bishop Vijay Sathe of Pune said opposing Christian unity is an offense against God who wants to gather all people together in Christ. Poona diocese also held an inter-faith dialogue with the theme “Religion for development and peace”  with more than 400 Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists attended the program