Source: www.persecution.org
Date: March 31, 2020
India (International Christian Concern) – According to Morning Star News, a group of Christians distributing aid to the poor in southern India were attacked by a mob of radical Hindu nationalists before being detained and abused by police. In what is becoming a common theme in India, the Christians were falsely accused of engaging in forced religious conversions to justify the assault and arrest.
On March 8, Rev. Perumal Kanagaraj and about 30 Christian youths from the Viluppuram Church of South India were distributing aid to the poor in Anumandai village, located in India’s Tamil Nadu state. Shortly after the Christians arrived, they were confronted by members of the Hindu Munnani extremist group.
“The Hindu Munnani activist soon lost his cool and started beating the youth missionaries while he continued abusing them in extremely foul language,” Rev. Kanagaraj told Morning Star News. “Within no time the crowd started gathering and he held us up there and was not letting us move.”
The Christians attempted to call the police for help, but were informed by the Hindu Munnani that a case had already been filed against the Christians. According to Morning Star News, the Christians were shocked when the police arrived and took them into custody.
“They spoke ill about Christianity and slapped us as we stood there in the police station helplessly,” Rev. Kanagaraj told Morning Star News. “We requested that the police not lodge any cases against the youths, fearing that police cases would affect their careers.”
According to Morning Star News, Marakkanam Inspector of Police Senthil Vinayagam spoke abusively to the Christians in an attempt to incite the youths. However, when this did not work, the police released the Christians with a warning not to return to Anumandai village.
According to Rev. Kanagaraj, his church has been providing aid to the local poor for three years. The grain, clothing, and flashlights his congregation provides are essential to the local poor, who will now have to go without this aid.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for healing for those injured in this attack. Pray for the authorities to be held accountable for their unjust actions. Pray for protection for this Christian community.