threatened Christians in the area of "dire consequences" if they meet for Christian fellowship again, a major Christian rights group confirmed Monday, December 11.
International Christian Concern (ICC) with website www.persecution.org said it has learned that the incident took place on October 29 in the Berapuda border region between the two states, which are ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"During the Sunday evening worship service of the Good Shepherd Community Church, about 50 villagers of Berapuda came and attacked the 46-year-old father of Pastor Prakash Mall, who was standing outside the church,” a local Christian, who requested anonymity, was quoted as saying.
News of the incident only emerged Monday, December 11, apparently because villages are in a remote area.
SERVICE DISRUPTED
The villagers, all tribals, disrupted the worship service and beat up the pastor and accused church authorities and members of converting tribal villagers, ICC investigators said. They allegedly warned church members that if they met for prayer again they would be attacked.
The local Christian said that the attackers were not from any Hindu organization, but were seemingly misinformed about the activities of the church. “Both attackers and victims are from the Meena tribal people group," he said.
The Christians reported the incident to the Bhamol police station the same day, but apparently withdrew their charges the next day after villagers promised them not to attack the church again. by giving a written complaint against the villagers. ICC said the incident came amid heightened tensions in the region.
"Several Hindu fundamentalist groups are reportedly active in the neighboring states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh," the Washington DC-based group added.
SPREADING HATRED
"These groups allegedly spread hate against the Christian community on a regular basis, alleging that Christians convert people of other faiths, mainly Hindus, by force and by offering money. Subjected to their propaganda, sections of the local people sometimes resist and oppose Christian work," ICC said.
The BJP-ruled government in Rajasthan passed an anti-conversion bill on April 7 alleging that it had received reports about certain religious groups indulging in conversion activities with the use of force and allurement. Christians deny the allegation of conversion by fraudulent means and are opposing the anti-conversion bill.
The bill is yet to receive the assent of the state governor, who has raised concerns over the possibility of the law violating the people’s religious rights if it is implemented. Although the total population of Rajasthan state is more than 56.6 million, the number of Christians is merely 72,660, according to ICC estimates. (With reports from India).
