A Christian father of five was beheaded in Odisha (formerly Orissa) state, eastern India, in February, nine months after con-verting.
Anant Ram Gand, 40, was baptised in December 2018, which had angered locals. Reportedly, the execution-style murder was carried out by Maoist Naxalites, a communist guerrilla group, at the behest of local extremists.
Anant’s six-year-old son Purno witnessed his father being dragged out of their home by three men on the day he was killed. The terrified boy ran after his father crying and was told by the three assailants not to follow.
Anant’s wife and four young daughters, aged 13, 11, 3 and 2, were not at home at the time of the abduction. Anant’s body and severed head were later found on a nearby road.
The Prime Minister has been asked to speak up clearly in support of persecuted Christians due to the fear in which they live.
