Hindu Nationalists Attack Christians in Central India, “This Hostility is Often Driven by a Belief That Indians Ought to be Hindu”

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Hindu nationalists violently attacked or threatened Christians on three occasions in the same area of central India within the last month, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

On June 23, a mob of radical Hindu nationalists assaulted a church leader during a worship service. “The mob burst into the church where the service was taking place and assaulted believers,” ICC reports.

“According to eyewitnesses, the mob was prepared to kill the pastor, but a local man helped him escape after he was severely injured. The pastor is still healing from the serious internal injuries he sustained in the attack.”

On July 13, just four miles from the earlier church attack, a large group of Hindutva activists violently attacked a gathering of local Christians.

“Members of the mob beat those in attendance, including a 60-year-old woman who was punched in the face,” ICC reports. “Her face swelled up for more than three days. The mob also destroyed chairs and other items where the gathering occurred. Police eventually responded to the incident and dispersed the crowd that had gathered.”

Most recently, on July 10 a group of young Hindus approached a member of ICC’s staff on his way home in the evening and threatened him. “They questioned him and made threats, claiming they had been watching him. Thankfully, he was able to leave without further incident,” ICC said.

In a website statement about the situation facing Christians in India, the Open Doors international Christian advocacy organization explains: “Christians around the nation of India find themselves increasingly under threat. This hostility is often driven by an ongoing belief among some Hindu extremists that Indians ought to be Hindu—and any faith outside of Hinduism is not welcome in India. This mindset has led to violent attacks across the country and impunity for the people who perpetrate this violence, especially in places where the authorities are also Hindu hardliners.”

India has been ruled by the increasingly oppressive Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party for nearly 10 years: the country now ranks 11 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

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