Religious tensions grow in Maharashtra

(Jan. 16, 2013) Christians in western India’s Maharashtra state were assaulted on Monday by a mob of some 200 women for playing hymns and gospel music on a mobile phone in the village of Manor, in Palghar district. The assault follows an attack on December 30 in which, Christians were assaulted while praying in a house church in the village. Christians were also subjected to a recent boycott, in which Hindus refused them access to water and other necessities. “An investigation into the attack is ongoing,” said Inspector Vijay Pawar, who is probing the incident. No one has been arrested yet in the case, he said on Wednesday.
Activists say there is currently a high degree of anti-Christian sentiment in Palghar district. “There is much animosity in the area. The place is a strong breeding ground for anti-Christian groups,” Joseph Dias, president of the Catholic Secular Forum, told ucanews on Wednesday. Dias, a rights activist who campaigns for tribal Christians, said the Christian community fears more attacks will take place in the run-up to state elections next year. He said his organization has started training volunteers to help Christians file police complaints in case of persecution.
Local media reports say the tensions began after Christians stopped attending and contributing towards traditional tribal rituals and festivals in the village. Christians say tension has been building in the region over the last two years, and has been largely ignored by the police.