By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
NEW DELHI (Worthy News) - Indian Christians have urged prayers after Hindu nationalists stormed a church in Delhi during Sunday prayers, vandalized it, and attacked believers.
Armed with sticks, slogans shouting men could be seen threatening people and injuring worshipers, with one woman showing bruises, according to footage seen by Worthy News.
They also destroyed Bibles, musical instruments, and chairs inside the prayer hall of the Siyyon Prarthna Bhawan congregation in Delhi’s Tahirpur area.
During the attack, the mob could be heard shouting “Hindu rashtra banayenge, Jai Shri Ram,” meaning “We will make a Hindu nation, hail Lord Ram.”
Frightened Christians, including children, were pushed towards a staircase and forced to leave, Worthy News established.
When Christians went to the police to file a complaint, over 100 people from the Bajrang Dal, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council), and their parent organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh groups, reportedly gathered outside. The mob was heard chanting “Jai Shri Ram” (hail Lord Ram), Christians recalled.
While police filed complaints against the mob, it remained unclear how many had been arrested.
TENT CHURCH
Outside the area, dramatic footage also emerged of a village church held in a tent destroyed by angry Hindus as Christians inside continued singing worship songs.
The attacks against minority Christians underscored broader concerns about rising Hindu nationalism under the government of India’s devoted Hindu Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A report by the United Christian Forum (UCF) claimed increased attacks on Christians since 2014.
There were 147 attacks on churches in 2014, rising to 599 last year, according to UCF.
The first 190 days of 2023 reportedly saw 400 attacks targeting churches and Christians.
The UCF report also indicates that violence against Christians has occurred in 23 states in 2023, with Uttar Pradesh leading with 155 incidents, followed by Chhattisgarh with 84 incidents.
The Modi government has been anxious to promote India as the ‘mother of democracy’ ahead of it hosting the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit and events related to it.