Hindu Radicals Attack Church, Seriously Injure 11 Christians
Washington, D.C. (January 22, 2010)–International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on January 17, Hindu extremists attacked a Christian prayer meeting in Udaipur, Rajastha, leaving eleven Christians with serious injuries.
ICC sources report that at about 11 PM local time, members of Rashtriya Swayamsavak Sangh (a Hindu extremist group) rushed into the Faith Calvary Church (FCC) prayer meeting armed with machetes, axes and sticks and proceeded to beat Pastor Surajth Bhagari and church members of the church.
The Director and Founder of FCC, Dr. T.M. Omkar, told ICC that the Christians suffered broken legs, arms and injuries to their heads. The victims were taken to a nearby government hospital where they were partially treated. However, the administrators of the hospital refused to issue them a medical certificate.
“We felt that the hospital administration was pressured by some group who are keen to create trouble for the Christians. We are taking the matter to the court,” said Dr. Omkar.
The Christians filed a police complaint on the day of the attacks but no First Information Report (a report written by the police when they receive news of crime) was registered.
The complaint was again lodged on January 19th, and this time the First Information Report was registered by Gordhan Bilas Police Station. An officer from the police station told ICC that his office will protect the Christians from further attacks.
Police arrested six Hindu extremists under the Indian Penal Code for rioting, being armed with deadly weapons, unlawful assembly in prosecution of common object, house trespass and punishment for voluntarily causing hurt.
The attackers were released on bail the same day.
ICC’s Regional Manger for Africa and South Asia, Jonathan Racho said “We condemn the attacks on Faith Calvary Church by Hindu radicals. We urge Indian officials to take protective measures against the widespread attacks of Christian minorities by Hindu radicals.”
