reportedly stormed the annual convention of a church in the regional capital Raipur, BosNewsLife monitored Wednesday, October 19.
Compass Direct, a Christian news agency, said the troubles began Saturday, October 15, when a Hindu mob interrupted the “Gospel and Revival Convention” of the Church of God in Raipur’s Raja Talab area.
About 150 people were attending the six day convention when angry Hindus shouted anti-Christian slogans and accused organizers of kidnapping tribal people for conversion. On Sunday, October 16, about 70 Hindu militants returned and began attacking Christians, Compass Direct said, citing church officials.
There were no reports of serous injuries. News of the latest attacks came as the Supreme Court of India decided to postpone a hearing on granting equal rights to Dalit Christians, who like tribals, are among India’s most discriminated and disadvantaged groups, human rights watchers say.
HINDU GROUPS
Those involved in this weekend’s attack were part of the Hindu groups Dharam Sena or ‘Army of Religion’ an offshoot of the influential Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) or ‘World Hindu Council), Compass Direct said. It came after the Dharam Sena also damaged two other churches and attacked worshippers in Raipur last month.
"A group of extremists from the Dharam Sena broke into the hall at about 1:30 p.m. on October 15 when prayers were being offered for the sick," said Arun Pannalal, a local Christian leader of the Church of North India who allegedly saw this weekend’s incidents. “As soon as they entered, they accused the organizers of kidnapping tribal people to forcibly convert them to Christianity," he was quoted as saying.
"As soon as the police arrived on the scene, the miscreants pointed towards three women on the stage alleging that they were kidnapped by the Christians for conversion. But the women clearly denied that they were under duress or that they were lured by the organizers," he told Compass Direct, which investigates religious persecution.
POLICE RELUCTANT
Police officials allegedly refused to file charges, saying they could only register a complaint by Christians after the three women were interrogated, Compass Direct said. State home minister Ram Vichar Netam reportedly told Indian media that no charges will be filed before police investigate.
Christians in Raipur organized a rally in September to protest increased attacks on churches in the state. There have been similar reports from other areas in India, including in southern state of Kerala where the home of Catholic bishop Vincent Samuel, of the diocese of Neyyatinkara, was attacked Monday, October 17, human rights watchdog Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) said.
A security guard was injured and three vehicles were damaged, and those responsible fled when a police patrol approached, VOMC added. The reasons for the attack were uncertain, but
the local mafia is reportedly believed to be responsible. The bishop is known to be an outspoken advocate against the problem of alcoholism in the area, VOMC claimed. (With reports from India).
