RAIPUR, India — Hindu extremists stormed the annual convention of a church in Raipur, India, Oct. 15, alleging that organizers had kidnapped tribal people for conversion. Returning the next day, they manhandled Christians and shouted anti-Christian slogans.
The attacks took place during the last two days day of the Gospel and Revival Convention of the Church of God. Established in 1948, the Church of God has been organizing its annual convention for the last 47 years.
The attackers belong to the Dharam Sena, or Army of Religion, an offshoot of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, or World Hindu Council, formed by a local leader of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
“As soon as the police arrived on the scene, the miscreants pointed towards three women on the stage alleging that they were kidnapped by the Christians for conversion,” said Arun Pannalal, a leader of the Church of North India.
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