INDIAN CHRISTIANS ATTACKED DURING CHURCH SERVICES

(Barnabas Aid) Christians in the Indian state of Karnataka are living in a “climate of fear, persecution and harassment”, says a senior leader after four attacks by Hindu extremists in one day.
Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, spoke out following the incidents at different churches during services on Sunday 5 December.
“The followers of any religion, including the Hindus and others, must weed out Christianity.”
– Prahlad Remani
The first involved around 50 Christians who were threatened and terrorized when extremists attacked their church in the Kenger Upanagara slum in Bangalore. In two further incidents, four Christians were beaten up and dragged from their church buildings in the district of Shimoga. The assailants then had their victims arrested by police on false charges of trying to convert Hindus. Another church in Bangalore was the fourth target; a group of 40 extremists surrounded the building, throwing stones and shouting anti-Christian slogans.
Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, said, “The four attacks on the same day in Karnataka is reflective of the insecurity of the vulnerable minority Christian community and, more importantly, this is an indication of the climate of fear, persecution and harassment and terror in which Christians must practice their faith in this Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-governed state.”
The Hindu nationalist BJP came to power in Karnataka state in May 2008. Since then there have been more than 200 anti-Christian incidents, and in August this year a BJP member of the Karnataka State Legislature vowed to “weed out” the seeds of Christianity. Prahlad Remani said, “People must remain aware and watchful about the spread of these seeds of Christianity. The followers of any religion, including the Hindus and others, must weed out Christianity.”
Christians comprise around two per cent of the Karnataka population of 53 million.