India: Hindu Nationalists Attack Christians Across India During Christmas Season
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Amid an ongoing surge in the persecution of Christians in India by Hindu nationalists, Hindu extremists carried out violent assaults against believers celebrating Christmas in many states across the country last month, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
The violent attacks against Christians during Christmas 2024 are understood to have been carried out by the Sangh Parivar organizations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. Attacks were reported in Manipur, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha among other Indian states.
ICC notes that the attacks occurred despite PM Modi’s decision to attend the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) in New Delhi, an apparent attempt at reconciliation and a call for unity. Ignoring such calls, the attacks took place during Christmas celebrations in churches, schools, public areas, and even homes, ICC said
In one instance, two Christian women and a man in Odisha state were severely beaten for allegedly trying to convert Hindus to Christianity. “Then, the women were tied to a tree and were forced to chant the names of Hindu gods and goddesses,” ICC said. In another Odisha incident, a pastor and his pregnant wife were attacked in their church and made to trample on Bibles and chant the names of Hindu gods, ICC said.
In Punjab, a Pentecostal pastor was attacked for allegedly trying to convert Hindus to Christianity, ICC said. In Rajasthan, Hindu extremists assaulted teachers and pupils in schools that were celebrating Christmas.
“In many cases, Hindu nationalists acted brazenly despite the presence of police,” ICC noted.
Now led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has been ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party since 2014 and ranks 11 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
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