Karnataka: Pastor arrested during Christmas programme

As Churches are gearing up for the Christmas celebrations, in Karnataka, Bajrang Dal activists disrupted a Christmas programme and had the pastor arrested.

Pastor Sam Moses, along with 150 children was holding a special Christmas programme in Kolar district, last week, when Hindutva activists disrupted the celebrations and accused the pastor of conversions.

Accompanied by media persons, the radicals barged into the hall, burnt the Bibles and chased away the children. They alleged that the pastor was "indulging in conversions by giving gifts".

Later police detained the Christian at the Bangarpet Rural Police station. They have refused to accept a complaint from the pastor.

According to an advocacy group in the state, "Sam Moses has been doing children's ministry at his residence-cum-office in Karahalli village called 'Helping Hands Trust' for the past 8 years."

He even runs free tailoring classes and computer training for children.