Christians repeatedly harassed in Ankola, Karnataka

Ankola: November 04, 2009, (PCTV Newsdesk)

There have been several incidents of harassment of Christians by the police incited by the radical Hindu groups over the past few weeks in Ankola, Karnataka. Christians are living in fear and are increasingly being questioned about public places of worship.

In Uttara Kannada, Karwar District, Ankola, a small prayer group has been worshipping for the past four years under the leadership of Pastor Manohar. Around 100 people were attending the services. A few years ago Pastor Manohar rented a house for prayer and fellowship but the radical groups got the place shut down. The group has moved for the past 2-3 years several times trying to find a place to worship.

In 2008, a Hindu family consisting of a believer Shankar Naik (58), his wife and daughter allowed the use of their premises for this prayer group's worship. A prayer hall was built for this purpose. For the past year the prayer group has met there peacefully.

On Friday Oct 23, 2009, Hindu radical leaders Ganapathy Beerappa Naik and Bhaskar went to Shankar Naik’s home and threatened him from keeping the prayer hall open. They claimed it was being used as a conversion centre where poor people were being cheated and also said that neighbours were being disturbed by the prayer. They then went to the Tehsildar Dr. Udaykumar Shetty and made a complaint against Shankar Naik. He in turn made a complaint to the Ankola police station and recommended Section 107 to be used against Shankar Naik.

Shankar Naik promptly contacted GCIC who provided him with legal aid and advised him to explain himself to the Tehsildar which he did. The Tehsildar recommended that the enquiry continue and then action be taken.

The same evening, Shankar Naik went to the Ankola police station. The police searched the premises of the prayer hall both inside and outside and forced Shankar Naik to shut it down. This was due to the demand made by the Hindu radicals. The police threatened to arrest Shankar Naik if it was used for worship again.

The situation in Ankola is such now that no one is willing to give a place of worship to Christians as it requires prior permission from the police. No places are available for rent either. Christian groups are now just meeting in homes. People are living in fear as the discrimination against them mounts. In fact, no worship was conducted in many churches yesterday, 1 November 2009, for fear of police harassment.

In a related event, today, 2 November 2009, police officers visited St. Paul Marthoma church which has been in Ankola for the past 60 years and made many enquiries there including asking for their ledgers and other official documentation.

Please pray for the believers in Ankola and for God’s mighty hand of protection on them and for their hearts not to be discouraged but to continue to follow Christ with love and joy.

News source: http://www.persecution.in/node/4255