A mob of extremists interrupted a worship service at a house, attacked men, women and children, and assaulted the pastor until he lost consciousness.
The incident occurred Feb. 7 at the home of Naval Singh in Kotwara village in India’s Madhya Pradesh state. Morning Star News reported four families — 16 people — were at the service Ramesh Barela was leading.
Check out more stories on the persecuted church.
More than 100 Hindu nationalists surrounded the house, and some broke in and attacked the pastor. Anyone — even children — who tried to stop the attack were assaulted, Barela said.
He was beaten unconscious. Among others hurt were two of Singh’s grandchildren.
Police transported Barela and Singh to a hospital for treatment.
The next day a leader of the mob filed a police report against Barela and two others, claiming the Christians were trying to convert people from Hinduism. He alleged that they tried to convert him to Christianity, and beat him when he refused, Morning Star stated.
As of March 11, no arrests had been made, Morning Star noted.
India is No. 12 on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of the 50 places most difficult to be a Christian.
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