by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - Seven Christians in India’s Chhattisgarh state have suffered severe injuries following a brutal attack on them by Hindu nationalists earlier this month, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
The attack came during a Sunday service in the village of Bhaganpal in the Baster district of Chhattisgarh, at which 60 Christians had gathered, ICC reports. A mob of around 15 Hindu extremists stormed the service and began to physically beat up the congregation with sharp tones and bludgeons. Seven congregants, including three women, were rushed to hospital.
“Christians in Bhaganpal village have been harassed since March this year,” a local pastor told ICC. “The Christians were summoned at the village gathering twice in the last two months, to persuade them to reconvert back to their previous religion. Things are becoming increasingly difficult for Christians to practice their faith,” the pastor added.
Moreover, the pastor said, the victims of this month’s attack are being sheltered by believers in another state because they are fearful of the Hindus. “Their lives are under danger if they go back to their village Bhaganpal, neither the police nor the administration would be helpful to them in this kind of situation,” the pastor said.
“Please pray that the authorities will respond appropriately to bring the perpetrators to justice,” ICC requested in its report.
Ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party since 2014, India ranks 11th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.