[Today's Prayer] Church Demolished in the Middle of the Night in Maharashtra, India, Without a Court Decision

In Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra, India, a church building was demolished before a court hearing. The church stated, “Local authorities proceeded with the demolition in the middle of the night without waiting for the court’s decision.”

According to Christian Daily International (CDI), Jesus Is Lord Church (JILC) in the Kalewadi area of Pimpri-Chinchwad was demolished by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) early on September 7 (local time).

Regarding what happened, church official Jean Silway said, “Around midnight, nearly 1,000 police officers came to our church as if they were coming to catch terrorists,” and “PCMC came around midnight and demolished the church at around 3 a.m. without waiting for the court order.”

According to the church, a hearing for an injunction seeking to postpone the demolition had originally been scheduled for September 4, but was postponed to September 7 because of a public holiday. Silway claimed that the church building was demolished before the court hearing took place.

Pastor Paul Silway, 67, and his wife, Jean Silway, purchased the property in 2000. In 2008, they installed a fence and built a temporary corrugated-metal structure, starting the church there. They have worshiped at this location for approximately 18 years.

The church also raised concerns that the property is located within what is known as the “blue line,” which marks an area at risk of flooding from the Pavana River. However, Silway claimed that there are other buildings, homes, and gas stations around the church that have not been targeted for demolition.

(Omitted)

The controversy surrounding the demolition is also connected to a confrontation that occurred inside the church in April and subsequent criminal complaints that were filed.

According to the church, on April 27, a confrontation occurred between a man and church members while he was taking photographs inside the JILC worship hall. Afterwards, people associated with Hindu nationalist groups gathered outside the church. The church stated that they accused the church of attempting to induce conversions through its healing ministry.

Subsequently, Sidhanth Chavan filed a complaint against eight people, including Pastor Kenneth Silway, the son of Pastor Paul and Jean Silway, alleging violations of Maharashtra’s law concerning the prevention and eradication of black magic and inhuman practices.

Pastor Kenneth Silway, Pastor Paul’s son, was also accused in a complaint while preaching at a church in the Kondhwa area on June 14. The church stated that additional complaints were subsequently filed with the police and that charges were brought under the Maharashtra Police Act and criminal law.

Local Christian leaders have expressed concern, linking the incident to the recently enacted Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act. The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act 2026 was approved by President Droupadi Murmu on July 17 and came into effect on August 28. Maharashtra became the 13th state in India to enact legislation regulating certain forms of religious conversion.

(Omitted)

Rajesh Kelkar, president of the Pune Christian Forum, claimed in an interview with CDI that “the police are accepting some complaints filed against Christian leaders without sufficiently verifying the facts.”

Source: Christian Today Korea

“Therefore I write these things being absent, so that when I am present I may not have to be severe in accordance with the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.” (2 Corinthians 13:10)

We hear the news that in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra, India, local authorities proceeded with the demolition of a church building in the middle of the night on the grounds of cracking down on an unauthorized structure, without waiting for the court’s decision.

Lord, You have protected Jesus Is Lord Church for approximately 18 years, from 2008 until now. Please comfort the pastor’s family and the congregation, who, after suffering persecution due to false accusations made by Hindu nationalist groups, have now lost their place of worship through the demolition of their church building by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Even in these circumstances, please remain with them to the very end.

Also, may the local authorities and police in Maharashtra, India, repent of human foolishness, examine the facts surrounding the complaints filed against Christian leaders, and, following lawful procedures, make fair judgments according to the wisdom and law of the Kingdom of God.

As churches in Maharashtra suffer because of the religious freedom law regulating certain forms of religious conversion, may the Indian Church proclaim that neither restrictions on preaching the Gospel nor pressure from the government can bring down the Church in India. Rather, may they believe that the Lord is using these circumstances to establish the Church more firmly, and may they overcome their present suffering abundantly through the authority given to them as children of God.

May the global Church share in the cross carried by the Indian Church, boldly proclaim the Gospel and testify to the truth throughout India, and unite with the Indian Church in continual worship and prayer.

Therefore, may India be filled with the Church, the body of Jesus Christ, the only Savior, and may workers who faithfully carry out the tasks entrusted to them by the Lord go forth to the nations throughout the world!