Thursday, December 28, 2006 at 2:02am
Indian Christians attacked
India's Christian minority has been the object of attacks by fanatical Hindu nationalists during the Christmas season, according to the All India Christian Council.
Arun Pannalal, general secretary of the Chhatisgarh Christian Forum, said that "on Christmas eve some 50 vehicles carrying Hindu nationalists drove through the streets of Raipur, the capital of this central Indian state, warning people that they would close down any form of Christmas celebration," AsiaNews reported Thursday.
"They beat up a teacher whom they accused of handing out bibles in school. Despite the fact that the accusations were false, the woman was arrested by the police on charges of forced conversions," he said.
Members Dharma Sena, a fringe Hindu group, attacked a Christian clergyman on the same pretext because he gave sweets to children on Christmas day. He was also jailed.
In Punjab, local police arrested a pastor from the Good Shepherd Community Churches, releasing him after warning him of serious consequences "if he celebrated Christmas speaking about Christ." Two other Protestant leaders were also arrested on Dec. 23 and released the next day after they were warned "not to preach the Gospel anymore".
These "are but a few examples because it is impossible to report every episode of violence and persecution that have taken place in this period," the AICC said.
Arun Pannalal, general secretary of the Chhatisgarh Christian Forum, said that "on Christmas eve some 50 vehicles carrying Hindu nationalists drove through the streets of Raipur, the capital of this central Indian state, warning people that they would close down any form of Christmas celebration," AsiaNews reported Thursday.
"They beat up a teacher whom they accused of handing out bibles in school. Despite the fact that the accusations were false, the woman was arrested by the police on charges of forced conversions," he said.
Members Dharma Sena, a fringe Hindu group, attacked a Christian clergyman on the same pretext because he gave sweets to children on Christmas day. He was also jailed.
In Punjab, local police arrested a pastor from the Good Shepherd Community Churches, releasing him after warning him of serious consequences "if he celebrated Christmas speaking about Christ." Two other Protestant leaders were also arrested on Dec. 23 and released the next day after they were warned "not to preach the Gospel anymore".
These "are but a few examples because it is impossible to report every episode of violence and persecution that have taken place in this period," the AICC said.