KARNATAKA, India — Karnataka police accompanied by 10 Hindu extremists Aug. 28 arrested a Christian operator of a boys’ hostel after accusing him and another Christian of offering food, shelter, education and future job prospects to the children as an “allurement” to convert to Christianity.
Hanuma Naik is also pastor of Indian Gypsy Works Fellowship. After his release on bail the next day, he dismissed the allegations as fabricated, saying that parents of the 42 students voluntarily sent their children, ages 6 to 19, to the hostel.
The parents had prior information and knowledge that Christian teachings are part of the program at the church-run hostel, popularly known as a “Christian Ashram,” he said.
Sub-Inspector Chemaiah Hiremath told Compass Direct News Serivce that the students were forced to pray to the biblical God. He said the two Christians had promised the parents of the boys they would take care of all the children’s needs for food, clothing and education — a potentially criminal activity under draconian “anti-conversion” laws in force in some states, but not in Karnataka.
The Global Council of Indian Christians reported that after falsely accusing Pastor Naik and colleague Rama Naik, the extremists slapped Rama Naik repeatedly and questioned many of the children about hostel activities, their studies and families.
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