ICC Note: Over the Easter holiday, Christians in India endured a series of violent attack perpetrated by Hindu radicals. At least 11 separate attacks were documented by International Christian Concern, leaving many Christians injured and in need of medical attention. As authorities do little to stop this wave of violence, attacks on Christians in India continue to escalate in both number and intensity.

04/11/2018 India (Christian Today) – Christians in India were subjected to a series of violent attacks by Hindu radicals during and after Holy Week, according to persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC).

ICC documented 10 such attacks across India in the week leading up to Easter alone, resulting in the hospitalization of several Christians with severe injuries.

The group has also learned that an annual prayer gathering in Vakel village, located in the Bastar District of Chhattisgarh, was attacked by Hindu radicals last Thursday. The April 5 attack left many injured, including six Christians who required hospitalization.

According to Rev Ratha Netam, one of the speakers at the prayer gathering, the event was organised for Christians from the Vakel area as a day of prayer at the Village Evangelical India Mission (VEIM) Church. At 7:30pm, a mob of 70 people forced themselves into the church, shouting pro-Hindu slogans and carrying wooden clubs and proceeded to beat many of the 60 Christians in attendance. Six of the Christians were severely injured.

‘When I saw the Hindu fanatics shouting at believers asking for me to kill, I [was] afraid and went into my home,” Pastor Kasinath Baghel, one of the six injured Christians, told ICC. ‘Three of them entered in my home, held my hands, brought me out and beat me mercilessly. When they were beating me I was frightened greatly and thought that if I were killed what would [become] of my children and wife.’

Another victim, Shanti Baghel, told ICC: ‘They misbehaved with me. They did not even consider me as a woman. They continued to harass me and beat me with the wooden clubs. I was helpless. I was hoping that God will protect me from the hands of these attackers while others ran for their lives to nearby forests.’

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