Hindu Nationalists Attack Christian Worshipers at Two Churches (VIDEO)
Activists of the Bajrang Dal, the Hindu ultra-nationalist movement, attacked members of two different Christian communities who were engaged in a prayer service, and accused them of practicing forced conversions.
The recent incident highlights the growing trend in India over the last month as tensions between Christians and Hindus continue to boil into violent outbursts.
Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians said: “The attacks are deliberate and meticulously planned. As long as these movements escape the harsh measures of the Indian criminal justice system, violence will continue. "
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The violence erupted over this past weekend, when on Nov. 12, six worshipers of the Ministry of Bethel Church were attacked. A woman with a 4-year-old son was among two other women and two men who were waiting for the bus at the Belur station after a prayer service.
Reports said 10 activists of the Bajrang Dal suddenly surrounded them and harassed them. The men asked the worshipers what they were doing in the city while they were insulting them. After beating the two men, they led the entire group to Harehally police station.
Upon arriving to the station, police issued an arrest warrant for the six Christians. Thanks to the GCIC, the three women and a child were released, but the men were still in custody.
The next day, on Nov 13, Pastor H.S. Nagaraj of the Church of Immanuel Prarthanalaya in Arkalgud, had just begun his Sunday service when several members of the Bajrang Dal stormed the Church.
The group of men interrupted prayers and then continued to deface and destroy the Church’s bibles, leaving the pieces strewn about the floor. Within a short time, the local police also arrived and arrested the pastor and three faithful followers. All four Christians are still in prison.
“What happened to religious freedom guaranteed by our Constitution…is BJP allowed not to respect the constitutional guarantees of citizens of India, or the Christian minority a community set in a Hindu majority, not to have access to the rights and privileges enshrined in article 25 of the Constitution?” said George in a statement.
