A mob of 200 radical Hindu nationalists attacked worshipers at a church in the Indian state of Uttarakhand last week. Christian leaders are now demanding authorities take “strict action” against the attackers.
The Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) reports that crowds burst into the church on October 3 as worshipers in Roorkee Town gathered for Sunday morning service.
Christian leaders in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand are demanding action against Hindu nationalists for attacking a church and beating worshipers alleging religious conversion activities. Report by @minjbijay#ChristianPersecution #India #Hindu #BJP https://t.co/j4yF8W9kx2
— UCA News (@UCANews) October 10, 2021
Once inside, the radicals began beating church members and vandalizing church properties. At least three Christian women were seriously injured and taken to a nearby hospital.
The attackers were identified as members of the pro-Hindu party Bharatiya Janata (BJP), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. They claim their actions were appropriate and accuse the church of engaging in illegal conversion activities.
“We demand strict measures against them and police protection for us,” Prio Sadhana Lanse, a church leader, told UCAN.
Police filed a complaint against members of the mob, but no arrests were made.
“The church that was attacked has been active for 30 to 40 years,” Reverend Titoo Peter of the Methodist Church told UCAN.
He said Christians in Roorkee got along with people of other faiths and this was the first time the church had been attacked.
“It is the work of some evil elements who do not want peace and harmony in the region. We condemn this act,” he added.
Radical nationalists will make false allegations against Christians and accuse them of forcing individuals to convert to Christianity as a way to justify harassment and assaults on believers.
CBN News previously reported that Hindu radicals ambushed four Christian women in August as they gathered to pray together in the Indian village of Sarurpur.
Injuries ranged from a broken leg to a serious head injury.
In July, Pastor Balwinder “Bagicha” Bhatti was found dead near a street in Ferozpur, Punjab. The Protestant pastor was ambushed, beaten and mortally wounded in the back of the head with a sharp weapon.
And in June, Hindu radicals raided an educational institution belonging to the Grace Assembly of God Church in Faridabad. The attackers seized the property and placed a statue of a Hindu deity there.
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