Bans on Christian activity in India escalate into violence

CHHATTISGARH, India — Recent attacks on Christians in India’s Chhattisgarh state Oct. 25 and earlier in the month have raised suspicion that local officials are collaborating with Hindu extremists, church leaders said.

Local officials summoned area Christians to an Oct. 25 meeting in Madota village, Bastar District, on the pretext of resolving conflict over bans in the district on missionaries and non-Hindu religious activity. Dozens of villages in the district passed such bans earlier in 2014.

Christians in Madota village gathered at the designated spot all day, but nobody turned up, church leaders said. Armed Hindu extremists wearing saffron bands arrived in the evening, accused the Christians of converting Hindus and beat more than 15 of them. Twelve were taken to hospitals for treatment, including seven who were seriously injured, church leaders said.

Arun Pannalal, president of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, said, “The district authorities, along with some right-wing elements, are also pressuring us to withdraw the petition filed in the high court against the ban on the entry of non-Hindu missionaries in Bastar. Now our writ is pending in the high court. We see this latest attack as a pressure tactic.”