Pastors brutally attacked in the Rajasthan state of India

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(2006-08-17) The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.www.persecution.org has just become informed that two pastors, Pastor Kunjuman Mathai and Pastor Suresh Bhuria were brutally beaten in Rajasthan, a state ruled by the Hindu Nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

The attack took place on July 13^th, at the Padla bus station in Kushalgar sub-district of Rajasthan ’s Banswara district, where Hindu groups had earlier pledged to cleanse all Christian believers. In fact, within the state of Rajasthan, the assembly led by the BJP recently passed a bill to enact an anti-conversion law, which is awaiting confirmation by the state governor. Pastor Mathai spoke to ICC about his account. “The attackers first went to the bus stop and asked about me. As soon as we arrived, they stopped us and started beating us. They beat us for more than one hour,” he added.

The All India Christian Council (AICC) identified the men as: Keshev Khihuri, Mithalal Katara, and Ramlal Khihuri. The three men, who have already been linked with other anti-Christian activities in the area, beat the pastors with iron rods and stones, and took by force belongings Pastor Bhuria had in his possession while traveling.

Pastor Mathai had visible injuries on various parts of his body, including congealing of blood in his eyes. He was rushed to a hospital for first aid and medical examination.

Before fleeing the spot, the three men threatened the pastors saying they would be killed if they registered a complaint to the police. Mathai reports that he sent a complaint by mail to the Kalinjara police station July 18^th and the letter was received two days later. “However, I do not know whether the police have registered our complaint,” he said.

Christians in India affirm that Rajasthan, a state located in Northeast India , is one of the most dangerous for Christians.