ASIA/INDIA - Protestant pastor and faithful beaten

Friday, 10 June 2016 religious minorities   religious freedom   hinduism   violence  

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New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - Protestant Christian Pastor Alvish Bara was beaten with other believers by a group of 20 militants of Hindu extremist groups and was then arrested by the police in the state of Chhattisgarh. As reported to Fides by the "Global Council of Indian Christians", the militants barged in the Sunday celebration of the community on June 5, in Balrampur district without any reason. The militants accused the pastor of carrying out "forced conversions" using physical violence on him and other faithful. The extremists forced the priest to follow them to the police station. On the way there he was beaten and then a complaint was registered against him. The police arrested him, and was then released on bail. "India is a secular country and Pastor Alvish Bara was not carrying out any criminal activity", said the GCIC in a statement sent to Fides.
Another episode has disturbed Indian Christians: recently some Hindu extremists beat 29 Christians who refused to renounce their faith in Christ and convert to Hinduism, destroying several homes in the village of Katholi, always in the state of Chhattisgarh.
In recent days, in the state of Karnataka: vandals destroyed the statue of St. Anthony in the Chapel of Kandlur, in the diocese of Udupi. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/06/2016)


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