Maharashtra Christians hold Sunday service under police protection
January 14, 2013 - Christians in the western Indian state of Maharashtra held a Sunday
service amid police protection following death threats and an economic boycott allegedly
imposed by hardline Hindus. About 25 people attended the service in a house church
in Manor village in Palghar district two weeks after a mob of at least 400 Hindus
reportedly attacked a Sunday congregation and descreated copies of the Bible. “People
were still scared as Hindu fundamentalists had threatened to disrupt the service,”
said Brother Ravindra Jadhav. Until Sunday, no services were held at the church following
death threats that prompted Christians in the village to attend a church 20kms away.
A recent campaign of repression reportedly initiated by Hindutva, a loose affiliation
of right-wing Hindu groups, which prevented local Christians from buying firewood
and drawing water from wells in the town has ended, said Bro. Jadhav. Fundamentalists
say they have received orders to prevent Christian practices in the village ahead
of Maharashtra state elections next year.