Free Christians in India

By Richard Land - Mar 23, 2006 - 1

As you read this, Christians in India are facing growing persecution by one of the country’s state governments. The Rev. Dr. Samuel Thomas, president of a hospital and orphanage named Emmanuel Mission International (EMI), and his father, Archbishop M.A. Thomas, are the immediate targets of this intolerance of Christianity.

Since the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2002 in the Indian State of Rajasthan, the BJP-pressured government has subjected the EMI to severe probes and financial audits by the Registrar of Societies. But not until recently, however, and with only a three-day warning, did the government revoke recognition of the hospital and orphanage of 2,200 and freeze all bank accounts. Consequently, patients have been denied proper care—including several children with tuberculosis and at least one child in a coma—as staff feared arrest by police and closure of the hospital if they tried to help.

This reign of terror intensified last week when Samuel Thomas was arrested for possession of a book entitled Haqeekat that denounces Hindu deities. Now the lives of both Samuel, who remains in police custody along with other EMI workers, and his father, who is in hiding, remain in jeopardy as Hindu extremists—part of a separate faction from the government, though led by BJP members—offer $26,000 for the head of either man. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan High Court has granted bail to a Hindu EMI worker who had also been arrested.

Samuel Thomas and Archbishop M.A. Thomas need your help. Please contact your congressman and senators and urge them to do what they can to pressure the Indian government to free Samuel Thomas and those imprisoned with him, withdraw accusations against Archbishop M.A. Thomas, and restore recognition and bank accounts of Emmanuel Mission International.

To reach your members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, dial the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. The operator will then connect you to the office of your choice. If you prefer email or do not know who your congressman and senators are, just click here and follow the instructions.

Thank you for caring enough to take a few minutes from your busy day to speak on behalf of these persecuted people. Your involvement will be felt not only by the Thomas family, EMI workers, and the patients and orphans of the Emmanuel mission, but also by untold numbers of Indian Christians in years to come. May God bless you as you seek to protect our Christian brothers and sisters and their ministries in India.

Further Learning

Learn more about: Citizenship, Human Rights, Persecution, Religious Liberty

1 comments (post your own) feed

1 On Nov 7th, 2006, at 11:00pm, Joby Manuel wrote:

Dear Sir,

Please pray for the christans in INDIA.

Please pray for me so that I get employed.

I am unemplyed for last 10 months.

The situation here in INDIA is very grave.

Why don’t christians in US come for our help
montarily,financially?

Rgds

Rgds

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