Tribal Christians assaulted, mocked in Maharashtra

Tribal Christians in Maharashtra were reportedly assaulted and taunted by the police who also filed charges against them for committing breach of peace when the former approached them for help.

In June, four tribal Christians in Toranpada village, Maharashtra, were assaulted by members of the local Tribal Welfare Committee for converting to Christianity.

Following the assault, the tribal Christians had approached the local police station, filing a complaint against their aggressors.

Later, when they again approached the police to inquire about the development, one police officer taunted by saying, "Ask Jesus to call on my mobile phone."

The police officers also reportedly had requested a demonstration of how the Christians prayed and when the tribal Christians knelt down to pray, the police immediately began beating them up and hurling abuses at them.

According to Compass, the police have also filed charges of breach of peace against the tribal Christians.

Abraham Mathai, a member of the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission and leader of the All India Christian Council, accompanied the four to the office of the director general of police on June 20 to protest against the officers' behavior.

"They harassed the Christians instead of giving them assurance that the perpetrators would be brought to book," Compass quoted Dr. Abraham Mathai, general secretary, All India Christian Council (AICC), as saying.

Dr. Mathai, who has registered a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP) said that inquiries about the alleged misbehaviour were underway. However, the concerned police officers have denied any wrongdoing.