Attack on pastor, family in Karnataka

Allegations of conversion on Wednesday led to the attack and arrest of a pastor in Doddaballapur, Bangalore.

About 20 Hindu fundamentalists belonging to the RSS and Bajrang Dal stormed into Pastor Bhaskar John Poojappa's house and beat him up alleging that he was involved in forceful conversions.

The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) reported that the extremists "ruthlessly beat up all the members of the family, slapped them and kicked them all over the body, and didn't even spare the two year old little child".

They dragged Pastor Poojappa to the Rajenkunte Police Station and made cooked up charges against the pastor and his ministry.

Pastor Poojappa, 30, accepted Christ about 15 years ago and has been living a quiet life with his wife, Divya, and two children, both girls aged 4 and 2 years.

While the police set free Pastor Poojappa initially, GCIC said Sangh Parivar activists used pressure from all sides and forced the Inspector to take action against the pastor. On Thursday, the pastor was arrested again.

"After prolonged discussions, and also Inspector Vijay Kumar's firm stand, we understand that Pastor Poojappa was allowed to go home as free man without any charges against him," the advocacy group informed.

Pastor Poojappa leads the Sunday worship at Holy Mountain of God Church at Hadde Village, joined by some 30 believers. He also runs an orphanage for female children.