12/10/2018 India (International Christian Concern) – On October 30, pastors from 12 churches in India met in a hotel in Agra to make arrangements for the Christmas season. Forty-five minutes into the meeting, more than 35 Hindu radicals broke into the meeting hall and began beating the Christians with hockey sticks, bats, and wooden sticks.

As the radicals beat the helpless Christians, they shouted anti-Christian slogans and ‘Jai Shri Ram’ [Hail, Lord Ram]. Several Christians sustained internal injuries from the beating that went on for 45 minutes.

Police officers from the Tajganj police station arrived on the scene and arrested 13 Christians. The Christians were charged with committing blasphemy against Hinduism and for creating enmity between religious groups.

With the help of Christian advocates in India, all of the Christians arrested have been able to file a counter claim against their assailants. On December 3, the Allahabad High Court granted a protection to the pastors stating that no arrest shall be made without issuing an advance notice to the pastors. The Court also directed the State to follow the due process as required under Section 41 (1) (b) read with Section 41A Cr. P.C.

For interviews with Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].