Christians Worshipping In India Attacked, Beaten and Stripped by Hindu Radicals

India
Workers lay carpet on the steps of a stage at the venue of World Culture Festival on the banks of the river Yamuna in New Delhi, India, March 8, 2016.  REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee

About 60 Christians praying and worshipping at a Pentecostal church in India's Chhattisgarh state were violently attacked by Hindu radicals on Sunday. According to reports, aside from destroying properties of the church, the female members of the congregation were also stripped naked.

The International Christian Concern first learned about the incident. According to the organization, the attack was carried out by around 25 individuals. They arrived on motorcycles and began beating the Christians as soon as they entered the church.

The mob also destroyed the church's chairs, instruments and Bibles. Many of the members of the church were beaten while the women were stripped.

According to Arun Pannalal, the head of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, the attackers justified their actions by blaming the church for carrying out forced conversions on Hindus.

"They began alleging that people were being converted," Pannalal told the press according to CBN. "They fled before police could reach the spot. This is the sixth attack on churchgoers in Chhattisgarah in the past six weeks."

As detailed by witnesses, after the local law enforcers arrived, the assailants dispersed. However, they managed to apprehend about seven of the radicals. Despite the arrests, members of the Church criticized the Indian government for the ongoing religious persecution on the country. They noted that officials are slow to respond to such cases.

For instance, a week before the attack, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has been coordinating with the Indian government regarding a planned visit to the country. As noted by the Christian Post, the point of the meeting is to discuss the conditions regarding religious freedom in India.

However, the government was not able to issue visas for members of the commission, which then further delayed talks to achieving religious equality in India.

"We are deeply disappointed by the Indian government's denial, in effect of these visas," Robert P. George, the chairman of the agency said. "As a pluralistic, non-sectarian, and democratic state, and a close partner of the United States, India should have the confidence to allow out visit."

The incident on Sunday is the latest case of Christian persecution in the country this month. On March 5, a group of Christians in the Dantewada District were reportedly attacked by radicals. A day before that, a pastor was beaten by radicals Kondagoon district. According to Charisma News, the attackers told the victim the Christians are no longer allowed in that area.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.