Anti-Christian violence by radical Hindus rising in Andhra Pradesh
Feb.04,2014: "Attacks against Christian clergymen in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh
State are on the rise and a source of concern," said Sajan George, president of the
Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC). "These acts of violence are unmotivated.
With the excuse of 'stopping conversions,' they target this community," he told AsiaNews For
the Christian leader, both state and the Union governments, as well as the National
Commission for Human Rights should monitor Hindu Vahini, a Hindu fundamentalist group,
which has been responsible for several attacks in recent months. On 20 January, police
in Andhra Pradesh state arrested three of its members, thought to be responsible
for the murder of an evangelical pastor in Nalgonda, Rev Sanjeevulu. In recent weeks,
extremists also attacked other Protestant leaders. In January, Rev Christopher
Talla was assaulted in the village of Munugode, and Rev Gajjala Neeladri Pal suffered
the same fate in Ipparthi. In December 2013, a group of extremists attacked a Baptist
church in Narketpally, accusing without any evidence its pastor, Rev Nama Moses, of
conducting forced conversions. "Immediate action is needed," said Sajan George, "especially
in view of the general elections. These groups could conduct even more brutal attacks
against Christian communities in order to polarise Hindu voters. Such unprovoked attacks
threaten India's moral authority and secular nature," he added. Source: AsiaNews