10/28/2019 India (International Christian Concern) – According to Morning Star News, police in northern India broke up a Christian worship gathering of 6,000 after Hindu extremists leveled false criminal charges against the congregation’s pastor. The incident took place on October 15 in Pandeypurwa village, located in India’s Uttar Pradesh state.

“At least 6,000 were present for prayers, and within minutes the congregations scattered, and the police dismantled the stage and barricades,” Pastor Santosh Jaiswal told Morning Star News. “I received information that I have been booked for insulting religious beliefs and for possessing arms.”

“[However], I have never spoken about any religions,” Pastor Jaiswal continued. “I don’t possess any weapons.”

Radical Hindu nationalists often use false criminal accusations to harass and persecute Christian leaders in India. Most often, radicals claim that Christians leaders are forcefully converting Hindus to Christianity.

According to Morning Star News, Pastor Jaiswal had been harassed by local radicals in the days leading up to the October 15 incident.

“About a week before, a Brahmin [high caste Hindu] journalist came to Sunday worship with cameras,” Pastor Jaiswal told Morning Star News. “He videotaped the congregation lifting up their hands and praying, and some groaning as they were held by evil spirits, and he also interviewed some people who had experienced healing. Soon the local news media reported the prayers as black magic rituals, and that a Christian priest was promoting blind belief.”

Pastor Jaiswal’s ministry in Pandeypurwa had been ongoing for less than seven months before the incident. He had been leading worship and prayer services on an acre of land given to him by his sister, Kunti Devi.

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