In a troubling incident that underscores rising religious tensions in India, a Christian church in Chhattisgarh was violently targeted by Hindu extremists on June 8. The attack left many worshippers, including the church’s pastor, injured and deeply shaken.
The assault occurred at the Penial Prayer Fellowship in Borsi village during a Sunday service. Around 15 individuals, armed with wooden rods, stormed the church, disrupting the service and chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” a Hindu nationalist slogan.
Pastor Wakish Sahu recounted to Morning Star News that the attackers caused significant destruction, burning Bibles and Christian literature, while indiscriminately beating church members.
The most severe injuries were sustained by Mannohan Sahu, Pastor Sahu’s father and co-leader of the church. “My father was being beaten up, and during this time blows landed near his ear, and he lost his consciousness,” Pastor Sahu reported.
Seven congregants required hospital care following the attack, including the pastor’s mother, who was injured while trying to protect her husband. The fear from this incident has led most churchgoers to stop attending services.
“Since the attack, the believers have stopped coming for worship as they are too scared, and understandably so; but our family members, around 10 of us, still worship at the same time,” Pastor Sahu noted. “We have decided that we will not give in to fear.”
Despite an official complaint being filed with the police, no charges have been made, with authorities stating they would “investigate first.” The lack of police action and their prior warnings against outsiders attending the service have raised suspicions among the church community.
On the morning before the attack, police had visited the church, cautioning against attendees from outside the village and routinely photographing the congregation.
When the assault happened, police arrived but only verbally intervened. “It was very surprising that the police just told them, ‘It is enough,’ and they all just walked away,” Pastor Sahu remarked.
Attempts to lodge complaints were further thwarted by the attackers, who reportedly followed church leaders to the police station, intimidating them from taking further action.
The same day, other churches in the district faced disruptions. At Elohim Church, members of the Bajrang Dal interrupted the service by singing Hindu hymns, while in another incident, a newcomer to a church was physically assaulted.
Christian leaders have sought government intervention, with a memorandum submitted to local authorities highlighting increased attacks on religious minorities.
The violence reflects a nationwide trend of growing intolerance, with India now ranking 11th on the World Watch List for Christian persecution, a significant rise since 2013. Advocacy groups attribute this to the influence of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose rise to power has coincided with increased attacks on religious minorities.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
