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By David F. Dawes
AS RAMPANT violence by Hindu extremists escalated
against Christians in India, the head of a major Indian church planting
ministry gave BCCN his
assessment of the situation.
While visiting B.C. to promote his
organization’s activities, Saji Lukos of Reaching Indians Ministries
International (RIMI) noted his group is very active in Orissa, the state
where the wave of violence began.
“We have 70 missionaries, an orphanage and a
Bible school. Many of our people are in the forest, hiding.” An email
from one of his colleagues, named Surjit, bore direct eyewitness to the
catastrophe:
“The Christians in Orissa are in deep trouble; 99
percent of Christians’ houses are being burnt in Kandhamal district
of Orissa. My house [was] also completely destroyed and looted by the Hindu
militants. My parents are running for [their lives] here and there.
 | Christians praying in Orissa, India. Photo: Reaching Indians Ministries International. |
“My brother in law was killed and chopped into
four pieces, and then set on fire. His dead body was lying for two days
outside the place where he was pastoring . . . My parents are hiding in the
forest for [the] last four days without food and water.”
“God’s anger will be upon the land,”
said Lukos. “There will be justice, wait and see.” The
extremists, he stressed, “are messing with the living God. He is not
an idol.”
Christians have been attacked in several states since
late August. Much of the violence has been instigated by the Vishwa Hindu
Parishad (World Hindu Council, or VHP).
The rampage began after the August 23 killing of VHP
leader Laxmanananda Saraswati. Maoists have claimed responsibility for the
murders, but Hindu extremists continue to blame Christians.
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Compass Direct reports that thousands of houses,
churches and institutions have been damaged or destroyed; hundreds of
thousands of Christians have been left homeless. At least 20 people
have died – including some Hindu protesters, and police
personnel.
Christians have responded with protests, including a
September 20 mass rally which drew 15,000 people to Vijayawada, in
Andhra Pradesh state.
At press time, India’s government had invoked
Article 355 of the constitution, warning the administrations of Orissa and
Karnataka states that it will intervene if the violence against Christians
is not halted.
Lukos told BCCN his ministry’s efforts would continue. Despite
the continuing strife, he expressed optimism.
“Indeed, we are hopeful. The church will continue
to grow. We are dreaming big things, for our God is a great God.”
Contact: www.RIMI.org
– with files from Assist News Service
October 2008
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