Pastor Shivanda Siddi aged 45 years was arrested today on false charges of forceful conversion while conducting worshipping service on 26.09.10. Pastor has been ministering among the tribals for the last 5 years. . His Church Gnanodaya A G Church was established 5 years back in Umachagi Village, Mundgod taluk and have about 25 believers. He is married to Mrs Yesodha.

As usual, the worship started at 10.am on 26th September 2010. At about 11 am about 5 people belonging to Hindu radical organization Bajarang Dal came and sat inside the church and started arguing with the pastor. The then grabbed bibles from the believers and started physically attacking pastor.
The radicals also humiliate the pastor by tearing his clothes and beating him in front of the lady believers. After beating tha pastor for about half an hour, the radicals called in the police from Yellapur station, which is about 3 kilometers.

Police inspector arrived in a jeep and taken pastor and 7 ladies including 2 girls aged 10 and 11. The pastor was beaten up again in the police station by the radical Hindus in front of the police officials.

GCIC contacted the police and requested them to release all as these are false case. The police released the ladies by 6.30 pm. Pastor was produced before JMFC court and was subsequently sent to Sirsi jail.

Please pray for an early release of pastor Shivanda Siddi.