By BosNewsLife Asia Service
NEW DELHI, INDIA (BosNewsLife)– Indian police have released on bail Hindu militants who allegedly attacked a Christian prayermeeting in Western India, seriously injuring at least 11 Christians, a rights group said Friday, January 22.
U.S.-based International Christian Concern (ICC) said the January 17 violence in the city of Udaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan beganwhen members of the radical Hindu group Rashtriya Swayamsavak Sangh (RSS) raided the Faith Calvary Church prayer meetingarmed with machetes, axes and sticks “and proceeded to beat Pastor Surajth Bhagari and church members of the church.”
FCC founder and director T.M. Omkar was quoted as saying that Christians suffered broken legs, arms and injuries to their heads. The victims were reportedly taken to a nearby government hospital where they “were partially” treated.
Administrators of the hospital allegedly refused to issue them a medical certificate. “We felt that the hospital administration waspressured by some group who are keen to create trouble for the Christians. We are taking the matter to the court,” Omkar reportedlysaid.
Police briefly detained six “Hindu extremists” on charges that included “rioting, being armed with deadly weapons, unlawful assembly in prosecution of [a] common object, house trespass and punishment for voluntarily causing hurt,” ICCsaid.
RELEASED ON BAIL
However the suspects were released on bail the same day, the group added. In a statement, police reportedly said however they would “protect the Christians from further attacks” but ICC questions the officers intentions.
ICC said Christians already filed a police complaint immediately after the violence but that officers only wrote a report onthe crime the next day after initially refusing to provide a so-called First Information Report.
“We condemn the attacks on Faith Calvary Church by Hindu radicals. We urge Indian officials to take protective measures againstthe widespread attacks of Christian minorities by Hindu radicals,” said ICC’s Regional Manger for Africa and South Asia,Jonathan Racho.
Christians comprise just over two percent of India’s mainly Hindu population of nearly 1.2 billion people, according tothe United States Central Intelligence Service (CIA).
There have been increased anti-Christian attacks reported by Hindu radicalgroups who oppose the spread of Christianity in India.
Its really un wanted. it should not happen in india, but where is the root ?
Ppl are cheating the poor in the name of service.
what is the service ?
“help without expecting anything in return”
but its strange that people who say they are providing service, are expecting them to convert in to Christianity.
my question is…. cant they provide service without convertion ?
is this not as equal as Jeehad ?
RamuYadav,
You must know much more than this article offers…the motive for these attacks.
If the only response to conversions is violence, then we have quite the opposite of Jeehad. Jeehad punishes those who are infidels with violence. True Christianity offers love and provisions to those who would beat, maim and kill them. The contrast is quite obvious. Ultimately, the Cross of Christ offers to all grace to the sinner WHO WILL REPENT and BELIEVE (John 3:16; Luke 13:3). The death of Christ is God’s demonstration to all that God will not excuse sin (it must be judged), but he will atone for it himself. All those who will abandon their own way (or even a ancient traditional way) and ACCEPT his gracious gift of redemption through Christ will be saved (Romans 6:23).
This seems much more compelling than attacking those who will not convert (Jeehad) or attacking those who do convert or those who are lovingly offering help along with the truth (as in this article along with your assumption of motive).
If you are correct in your assessment of motive, there appears to be a fear in this attack (and others of a similar nature) that might just confirm the truth of the message of this church…what should non-converts to Christianity fear in the conversions of others? What reality compels such a violent response?
For His glory,
Christian