Protestant leader warns lives of Christians in Karnataka at risk

(Ocrt. 31, 2012) "The life of Christians in Karnataka is at risk", said Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians - GCIC, commenting on three new episodes provoked by ultra-nationalist Hindus in the southern Indian State. All the victims belong to the Pentecostal community. In two incidents, the violence of the radicals was so severe that some Christians had to be taken to hospital.
The latest attack occurred on October 27 in the district of Davanagere. After a three-day spiritual program, some 200 radical Hindu from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) broke into Divine Healing Medicine Church. According to Hindu activists, the Christians were disturbing the public peace and practicing forced conversions. Meanwhile, six police officers, on the recommendation of the RSS arrived and questioned Rev. Rajashekhar and the faithful. Disregarding the security forces, the Hindu radicals began to attack the Christians with sticks and stones, injuring 15 people. Five of them - including two women - were admitted to Chigateri Goverment Hospital. According to the president of the GCIC, these incidents are a disgrace for the secular credentials of India. He said the State is failing in its responsibility to protect the Christian minority, and it is embarrassing that this growing intolerance takes place with the tacit approval of the authorities. Stating that where ever the Bharatiya Janata Party - BJP governs, Christians are second-class citizens, Sajan encouraged all Christians in this Year of Faith called for by Pope Benedict XVI to renew and strengthen their faith