Pastor harassed by Hindu activists in Madhya Pradesh

An Assemblies of God (AG) pastor was detained by the police in Madhya Pradesh for questioning after being harassed by Bajrang Dal activists who has accused him of converting a non–Christian family.

Pastor Venkatesh Kumar Sadhu had gone to a non–Christian home to pray for a sick family member in Jabalpur dictrict in Madjya Pradesh and midway through the prayer, some Bajrang Dal activists suddenly stormed into the house and bgan assaulting him. The Hindu extremists also destroyed the pastor's scooter which was parked outside.

According to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), the pastor was led to Ghama Thana in Jabalpur where the local police interrogated him at length.

Upon hearing the news, the legal department of the EFI made phone calls to the police station and were assured of their full cooperation.

"The pastor was released after midnight," the EFI reported.

The police, who were quizzed about the charges made against Pastor Sadhu, had reportedly expressed their helplessness as they were being pressurized by Hindu zealots to implicate Christians under the state anti–conversion law.

The police, however, added that the complaints filed by the Bajrang Dal activists were not substantial and hence the pastor was released.

"According to the Indian Constitution, it is against the fundamental right of a person to be detained in this manner as we are guaranteed freedom to freely profess, practice and propagate religion," said Rev. Richard Howell, general secretary, EFI.

"Madhya Pradesh (MP) has seen numerous atrocities against Christians this year. The state government recently passed an amendment to the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968, making the anti–conversion law even more stringent. There have been 28 cases filed against evangelists/pastors in MP this year alone," he noted.

EFI has urged Christians nationwide to pray for the persecuted and voice their protest against the atrocities carried on by the Hindu fundamentalists.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) is a national alliance of evangelical Christians and is a central network of evangelicals in India. It exists to empower and mobilize the local churches, church related institutions and individual Christians for effective witness for Christ.