PATAPAYPANGARA, India — A Protestant church in Maharashtra state was attacked on March 12, and death threats were leveled against local Christians.
The 10-year-old Pata Fellowship Church in the village of Patapaypangara has 22 members and has lived in peace with its Hindu neighbors, said Pastor Gopal Pende. However, in recent months Hindu activists have pressured church members to re-convert to Hinduism.
Attackers smashed the wooden cross on the outside wall of the church and attempted to attach a Hindu idol in its place. On the day after the attack, 300 policemen were called to stand guard over the church.
They detained suspects for three days before releasing them on bail. Afterward the local police chief, who had ordered the Hindu villagers to remove their idol, was criticized for his actions and forced to resign from office.
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