JAIPUR, India — Televised attacks on Christian workers and a spurt in persecution in various parts of India point to a renewed attempt to win support for Hindu nationalistic goals, Christians are saying. TV camera crews showed extremists of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, which means World Hindu Council, and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal, beating up Pastor Walter Masih in Jaipur, Rajasthan’s state capital, April 29.
On May 7 in Maharashtra state, television viewers saw Hindu extremists attacking two evangelists, Ramesh Gopargode and Ajit Belavi of the Friends Mission Church, in Kolhapur district.
John Dayal, member of the National Integration Council of India’s government, told Compass Direct news service he has never seen such violent attacks in the presence of TV news cameras. Dayal added that the televised assaults could invite "copy cat" tactics.
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