GFA Bible students in Gujarat beaten by extremists

Six Gospel for Asia (GFA) Bible College students who were distributing Christian literatures and preaching Bible in the West Indian state of Gujarat were assaulted and beaten by a group of anti–Christian elements, last week.

According to a report from GFA, the students who were working as a team were approached by the extremists, who accused them of "trying to convert people to Christianity." They continued to burn their Bibles, books and literatures, the students carried.

One of the students participating with the group managed to escape and reported the GFA leaders at the college.

Although the students were arrested by the police–“when the leaders made it back to the police station, they found that the students had been released and no charges had been filed," quoted GFA.

Surprisingly, the students who suffered minor injuries due to the attack thanked God for their comfortable release and said ‘they had a good experience.’

The GFA leaders requested prayers so that the students can be encouraged and with boldness spread the Gospel.

Gujarat Christians in a row have been persecuted, beaten and imprisoned in the state due to the growing presence of anti–Christian elements aiming to subdue Christianity.

In 2003 the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules Gujarat, adopted the Freedom of Religion Act, in reality making any conversions illegal. Violators face up to three years of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to Rs 50,000 (roughly $1200 USD)