Persecution Update: Karnataka witnesses more attacks

Pastor attacked in AP

VHP/BJP leaders assaulted Pastor A Jayaraj of Vishwa Vani Mission in Rangareddy district, Andhra Pradesh, last week.

The radicals alleged forceful conversion and threatened with dire consequences if the pastor continues to stay and preach in the village.

"At around 9.00 p.m. a group of 10 fundamentalist led by VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) leader Prabhakar, BJP leader Sheshu & Raju barged into the house of Pr. Jayaraj, caught him by his shirt and started beating and assaulting the pastor," according to Bangalore based, Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC).

GCIC said, the radicals were raged with the fact that govt. had permitted the Pastor to build a Church, in an allocated space.

Pastor Jayaraj ministers a church that accommodates over 50 families. Due to constant threats, many believers have even stopped attending church services. GCIC requested prayers for the family.

Two women believers arrested in Bangalore

The police on false charges of forcible conversion arrested two women believers in Bangalore.

Malleswary and Prabhavati who work in Gospel tracts Ministry for the 'Mizpah House of Worship' were attacked on July 12, when a group of four Hindu radicals entered the church premises and began violently tearing of Christian resources and hurling abuses of false conversion activities.

The women, who were arrested by the Ejipura local police, were later taken to a lady magistrate, the same day.

The victims have been charged under IPC Section 153A (for promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion).

The magistrate ordered Prabavati and Malleswary be kept in judicial custody for the next 13 days. The women will be lodged in Bangalore Central Jail.

Says Dr Sajan K George, GCIC national president: "The Hindu radicals have started unveiling their communal agenda with active support of the conniving lower grade police officers in the state of Karnataka."

Tribal believers forced to convert

In Thithimati Bamboo Kadu forest area in Kodagu district, a group of tribal Christians were accused and beaten by local Hindu radicals.

The tribal area, which has over 500 Christian families, attends various independent churches in and around Honsur, Virajpet.

Last week, during mid night, police officer Mr. Harivardhan of Ponnampetu police station along with 9 police personnel, including few Hindu radicals entered the tribal colony, accusing believers of forceful conversion.

Four youngsters from the colony were arrested and charged with forceful conversion, robbery, rape etc.

Following the incident, the Zilla Panchayat President, and few other Hindu leaders, urged the tribal families in the area to convert back to Hinduism. They even conducted animal sacrifices, forcing believers to worship the idols and involve in the ceremony.

Attackers invite TV channels to defame Christians

In Davangere district, Karnataka, radicals numbering over 40 stormed the Gypsy Prayer Hall, and attacked its pastor and members.

Pastor Lakshman Naik, who was ministering in the church for the past 10 years, was allegedly beaten by the mob that shouted insults and threats against the church.

The mob also collected Bibles and hymnbooks from the church and burned them with kerosene, accusing the church of indulging in conversion activities.

Intentionally to defame the Christians, the mob invited several state news channels, to broadcast the allegations of members who claimed they were forced to leave Hinduism and embrace Christianity.

Pastor Naik's wife, Prem Bai, and his 3 children also pleaded with the police to secure the release. The mob and police prevented the family from entering the police station and even threatened them of being imprisoned in jail.

Assaulted preacher in intensive care at Haveri

A preacher in Friends Mission Prayer Church in Haveri was attacked by a mob of over 20 Hindu radicals, in the presence of his congregation and family.

The mob unlawfully entered the service and managed to destroy the Christian literatures, including the Bibles, and furnitures in the Church.

The Savanoor Police Station later arrested Pastor Abraham, the victim.

Due to the intensity of the attack, Pastor Abraham collapsed at the police station. He was taken to a local government hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

"Christian believers living in this area are under constant fear of attack. This is the third attack in this area in the past two months. The police are sympathetic to the cause of the radical Hindus and are showing partisan attitude," says GCIC.

The police not only refused to take complaint from the Pastor's wife, but even threatened they would be "thrown out of the district if they complaint with higher authorities."