HYDERABAD, India — A mob of Hindu extremists recently raided a house church, breaking up the worship service and beating church members.
Approximately 150 Hindu extremists — thought to be Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activists — attacked the worship service in the Nawada region of India’s Uttarakhand state, reported Morning Star News.
The 15 church members meeting in the home of Rajesh Bhomi, the church’s pastor, were beaten July 14. Three members of Bhomi’s family and two other church members were severely injured. Bhomi’s home was vandalized.
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The melee continued until police arrived.
No action taken against suspects
Initially, police planned to register the case to “unknown” assailants. However, a church member identified 11 of the perpetrators, some of whom recorded the attack themselves and posted the videos online. As of July 26, police had taken no action against the suspects.
Ongoing persecution
However, the church member who identified the 11 lost his factory job at which he had worked for 16 years, Bhomi said. Also, neighborhood shop owners are refusing service to church members.
For now, church members are holding worship services online, Morning Star states.
India is No. 11 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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