(AgapePress) - Work continues at a Christian ministry to orphans and needy children in India, despite intimidation tactics and attacks by Hindu terrorists. The extremists, incensed over the publication of a banned booklet that unfavorably compares Hinduism with Christianity, have apparently blamed Hopegivers International and declared all-out war on the ministry.
The current trouble began last month for orphanages and hospitals in the state of Rajasthan, India, after Hindu terrorists became enraged over a booklet entitled "Haquikatt" and accused Hopegivers of printing and distributing the prohibited literature. Meanwhile, the Hindu extremists, who have burned Hopegivers schools and orphanages and incited violence against Christian workers, appear to have the help of the police.
Bill Bray, director of communication for Hopegivers, says although the ministry had nothing whatsoever to do with the writing or publishing of the banned book, local government and law enforcement authorities are doing nothing to stop the violence. "They seem to be aiding and abetting the terrorists," he says.
"The state authorities in Rajasthan are a Hindu political party," Bray explains. Rather than preventing or containing the violence, he says, the police "seem to be behind it and promoting [it], looking the other way and allowing the local authorities to neglect the safety of the children."
The violence is increasing, the Hopegivers International spokesman continues, with the heaviest attacks targeting the ministry's headquarters in Kota. "The police have surrounded the facility," he says, "and as a result the local police force and administration have been politicized by these militant activists, and they've suspended the licenses to operate our schools and hospital."
Hopegivers believes what is happening to the ministry's facilities in India is all part of a "well-orchestrated campaign of terror" that has been launched against the Christian group's outreaches, affecting every church, clinic, hospital, orphanage and school in Rajasthan. The all-out assault includes false arrests of key leaders, planned newspaper propaganda, organized demonstrations and riots, threats of violence, and intimidation.
'We Cannot Abandon the Work or Our People'
Several of the ministry's workers have been arrested and held without bond, Bray adds. Also, he notes, Hindu terrorists have called for the beheading of Hopegivers' president, Dr. Samuel Thomas. Both he and his father, Hopegivers founder Dr. M.A. Thomas, have been forced to remain out of sight, even as they urge Christian workers and supporters in India to "stand firm and resist."
An emergency appeal dictated by Dr. Samuel Thomas notes that, under the current circumstances, escape by air, train, or bus is "impossible and unthinkable" to the ministry leaders. "We cannot abandon the work or our people," the ministry president says.
"Never in our 46-year history has such extreme persecution been so well organized and carefully directed at our ministries on a statewide basis," Thomas contends. "Yet," he adds, "we are not discouraged! We are not disheartened! We live today because He lives! We are trusting in the Lord for our protection!"
Despite the terror campaign being waged against them, Bray says Hopegivers International's personnel are moving forward in faith, and the work continues at the Christian organization's schools, orphanages, and other outreaches. Nevertheless, the ministry's leaders say it is operating in "severe crisis mode," and they are calling for prayer and financial aid.
Hopegivers International's U.S. office in Columbus, Georgia, has been asked to set up two emergency relief funds for soliciting contributions to help meet the ministry's two greatest needs. One is a "Legal Defense Emergency Fund," the proceeds of which will be used for bail money to get ministry personnel released from jail and to pay for legal representation and other legal expenses. The other fund is an "Orphan and School Children Fund," necessitated by the official seizure of the Christian ministry's accounts in Rajasthan.
Without operating funds, Hopegivers' schools, orphanages and hospitals will quickly run out of food, clean clothing and basic supplies for the children. The Orphan and School Children Fund is needed to supply emergency funds for the ministry's outreach facilities while the Hindu terrorists' campaign of targeted persecution and intimidation continues.
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