Karnataka: Police sides with extremists, arrests eight pastors

The usually peaceful state of Karnataka is turning unfavorable for Christians with increasing violence and police apathy reported frequently.

Church groups this week condemned an attack on a Christian gathering that eventually led to the arrest of eight pastors at Annigere Gadag District, Karnataka.

According to reports, Hindutva activists on August 11 attacked a joint program organised by Seva Bharat (Mission India) and Evangelical Church of India that brought together 50 male pastors and 24 young women from various districts of Northern Karnataka.

Claiming conversions, members allegedly from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), barged in to the meeting and started beating up the organisers and the participants.

The attackers took all copies of the Bible and set fire to them publicly and warned them of severe consequences if they continue to have programs of this kind, reported All India Christian Council (aicc).

The police instead of taking action against the culprits tried to please the Hindutva elements by arresting Christians, aicc lamented.

The Council condemned the attack and demanded the immediate release of the arrested and swift action against the culprits.

"Since the Christian community and properties are under attack, full security should be provided immediately," an aicc spokesperson said.

Shockingly, the pastors who escaped the assault and reported the incident to the police were arrested and chargesheeted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

In addition, a Bangalore-based advocacy group says the men and women locked up were even denied water and local pastors who visited the scene too "were caught and locked up" to defame the Christian community before the press.

"The incident was staged in such a way that even the vernacular press arrived [early] morning to cover the event," reported Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC). "Going against every journalism ethic and practice, the self-styled journalists intimidated and further harassed the young women making it very clear that they were aligned with Hindutva agendas."

Also, one of the senior officials involved in the case is said to have earlier persecuted Christians on false allegations. After investigation by the National Human Rights Commission then, the Christians were vindicated and justice rendered.

Seva Bharath Mission India has been known for their humanitarian service provided to Northern Karnataka for the past nine years. They work in the field of adult literacy as well as children's education programs.

The August 11 program was being organized to equip men and women from 11 districts in North Karnataka to teach and be a part of the humanitarian mission.

GCIC has made appeals to the Governor of Karnataka, the Home Minister of India and the National Human Rights Commission. It has called for the speedy release of all illegally detained pastors and women.