Hindu Extremists Launch Separate Attacks on Christians in India

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers
Volunteers of the Hindu nationalist organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) hold sticks as they march during a training session at Tatiberia village in West Bengal, India, in this May 20, 2015 file photo.  Reuters/Rupak De Chowdhuri

A number of Christian individuals and churches in India were attacked by members of a national militant Hindu group around Christmas time in separate occasions, proving that Christian persecution in the country is becoming worse despite laws protecting religious freedom.

Earlier this month, some Christians, including women and children, just finished caroling and were about to go home when they were attacked by 20 to 30 Hindu extremists, who beat them with batons and sticks.

The attack was unprovoked, according to Saints Peter and Paul Church parish priest Stephen Rawat. The priest organizes caroling activities each year.

He said on the night of Dec. 14, as the group walked toward their car on their way home, the mob of Hindu extremists rushed toward them, shouting, “Bharat Mata ki Jai!” which means “victory to Mother India!”

The children were able to run for cover, but the men and women, including Rawat, suffered injuries on their backs, hands and legs. The mob reportedly accused the Christians of converting people to their religion.

Although the incident was reported to the police, no arrest has been made so far.

“Whenever we make enquiries, police merely say that they are still searching,” Rawat said, according to Crux.

He believed the attackers could be part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu nationalist group, because the assault happened on a street where an RSS hostel was found. The RSS is the “parent organization” of the Bharatiya Janata Party, India’s ruling party to which Prime Minister Narendra Modi belongs.

Another group of Hindu extremists attacked a Christian church last week. The angry mob, consisting of about 60 people, rushed into the Full Gospel Church carrying sticks and waving saffron flags. According to the Times of India, they vandalized the church for an hour.

AB Lal, the church’s pastor, said the attackers identified themselves with the Hindu Yuva Vahini group. However, HYV denied its involvement in the crime. And while the police confirmed that a report has been filed regarding the attack, they said the church members filed the complaint against “unknown persons.”

The attack left six people injured.

In Banswara in Western India, eight Pentecostals were beaten by several men who barged into their Christmas worship service. Police superintendent Anand Sharma said the violence broke out when the Hindu extremists near the church were angered by the playing of Christmas songs and hymns over a loudspeaker.

Sajan K. George, President of the Global Council of Indian Christians, said that in most of these attacks, the Christians did not do anything to provoke the Hindu militants. On the other hand, the Hindu militants have accused them of forcibly converting people to the Christian faith, which they have denied.

India’s population is predominantly Hindu. With only about 30 million people in India who believe in Christ, Christians are a minority in the country. Although religious freedom should be guaranteed by the Constitution, this does not appear to be strictly implemented.

    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.