Indian Dalits have been telling of their ordeal at the hands of Hindu mobs in India.

Hindu militants in India have extended their anti-Christian attacks across 12 states. Around 60 people are now confirmed killed, including at least two pastors, 18,000 Christians have been injured and more than 50,000 have been driven from their homes, according to partners of Release International, which serves the persecuted church.

The victims describe the attacks and their remarkable faith in the latest edition of World Update on the Persecuted Church, the regular news programme of Release International.

The All India Christian Council says right-wing Hindu militants have damaged homes in more than 300 villages, setting fire to upwards of 4,500 houses belonging to Christians. They are angry because many of the lowest in the Hindu caste system, the Dalits, have been turning to Christ.

One resident of Orissa, the centre of the troubles, says militants set fire to her brother-in-law for refusing to renounce Christ. "They asked him: 'Will you deny Christ and become a Hindu?'" He said: 'No.' Then I saw the Hindu mob pour petrol on my brother-in-law and they burnt him alive."

She continued: "They surrounded the church and within minutes the whole building was on fire."

Despite their ordeal, many remain steadfast in their faith. Attack survivor Nirmala (second name withheld for security reasons) said: "We may have lost everything, but we will never turn our backs on Christ. I still have joy and am thanking God despite my circumstances."

The trouble erupted after the killing of World Hindu Council leader, Laxmananda Saraswati. Although Maoist guerrillas claimed responsibility, Hindu radicals who want a Hindu-only India have taken revenge on the Christian community.

"Every single Christian denomination has been attacked: our schools, our colleges, our orphanages," says Dr Richard Howell of the Evangelical Fellowship in India. "Everything that Christians own - Christian homes, Christian institutions, Christian churches, have been attacked."

Release International, which serves the persecuted church in 30 countries, is deeply concerned about the growing violence against Christians that is spreading out to other states from Orissa.

Says the head of Release, Andy Dipper, "For countless generations the Dalits - or Untouchables - have been the lowest of the low, the underclass in the Hindu caste system.

"But the Christian faith celebrates their equal value as God's children made in the image of their heavenly Father. The embracing of Christianity by many Dalits is not just about faith, it is about justice and equality. And inevitably, it rocks the status quo."

He pointed to Psalm 113, which says, "He raises the poor and lifts the needy from the ash-heap. He sets them among the princes of their people."

Dipper continued, "Unsurprisingly, some of those 'princes' at the top of the caste system object. Our partners in India are calling for clothes, cooking utensils, medical aid and help in repairing homes torn down by militants. Please help us to help them."

Through its international network of missions Release supports Christians imprisoned for their faith and their families in 30 nations.

On the web:
World Update on the Persecuted Church is available for download from www.releaseinternational.org