Bible burnt, Christians attacked to convert forcibly to Hinduism
Sept, 25, 2012: Two more incidents are recorded in Karnataka. Hindu extremists submit
Pentecostal Christians to a 'purification' ceremony at a Hindu temple in order to
force them to abjure their Christian faith. For the Global Council of Indian Christians
(GCIC), "these attacks are work of the Hindu party to win votes."
Mumbai (AsiaNews)
- Two new anti-Christian incidents were recorded, at a one day interval, in the state
of Karnataka. In both cases, Pentecostal Christians were the victims, attacked in
the privacy of their homes, when ultranationalist Hindus tried to force them to forswear
their Christian faith.
For Sajan K George, president of the Global Council
of Indian Christians (GCIC), it is increasingly clear that the incidents "are orchestrated"
because "in Karnataka and in other states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),
religion and politics go hand in hand and are used to gain as many votes as possible."
The ultranationalist Hindu party has been in power in the state since 2007.
The
latest case was recorded yesterday in Gudadahalli Hearaghatta (north of Bangalore).
Two Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS ) activists infiltrated a prayer meeting held
at the Pentecostal Church led by Rev Muniraju. After the start of the service, an
additional eight RSS members burst into the place.
In the church, they burnt
or tore up all the Bibles and religious documents found. They also slapped and beat
up the clergyman. To intimidate the community, they dragged him and his five to a
Hindu temple, about a kilometre away, where they forced the couple to take part in
a pooja, a Hindu rite. Before they let them go, the attacked warned them against holding
more prayer services.
Two days earlier, on Friday, the Bethel Prathanalaya
Pentecostal Church, near Bhadravathi, Shimoga District, was attacked in the same fashion.
The community of 25 is led by Rev Kumar Hanumanthappa. On that day, the members had
travelled to the neighbouring village Voddarahalli Thanda, guests of five local families.
About
20 RSS and Bajrang Dal activists stormed the prayer services, telling those present
they would suffer "terrible consequences" if they continued to practice Christianity.
After beating some of those present and burning some of the Bibles, the Hindus forced
the entire community to walk to the nearest Hindu temple to take part in their religion's
'purification' ceremony.
Once they were able to go home, some of the Christians
stopped at the Holehonnur police station to file a formal complaint. However, no one
has yet to be arrested in connection with the case. "Article 14 of the Indian constitution
provides for equality before law for all people," Sajan George said. "And yet in the
case of attacks on Christians and Christian places of worship, the perpetrators go
scot free, while the innocent victims are arrested".