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Extremists Launch Attacks Against Christians in Second Indian State

by Staff
September 24, 2008

CARROLLTON, Texas, (christiansunite.com) -- "India is in a scary situation," says Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan. "While violence continues in Orissa, on India's east coast, anti-Christian extremists have unleashed another wave of attacks on Christians in Karnataka, a state on India's west coast.

"At the same time, churches are under attack in Jharkhand and other states, and Muslim extremists have set off bombs in Delhi.

"But we know that, in the end, the future is bright, because Jesus is with His church."

On Sunday, Hindu mobs rushed into churches and prayer centers of many different denominations in Karnataka, attacking Christians during their times of worship. The extremists then destroyed the church buildings and their properties. At least 11 churches were destroyed, including at least one led by Gospel for Asia missionaries.

Christians responded with protest rallies, and more than 60 extremists have been detained by authorities as a result of Sunday's attacks.

"What we saw in Orissa was a well thought-out and detailed agenda to eradicate Christians from the state," said Dr. Yohannan. "As you can see, the same pattern is being followed in Karnataka. It is well planned and orchestrated by Hindu radicals."

A GFA missionary in Karnataka reports that his church was set on fire, even though

Another GFA missionary reported that a mob of extremists crashed into his church around noon Sunday, smashing windows, lights and musical instruments. The mob also destroyed bicycles belonging to church members and the missionary. The missionary filed a police complaint about the attack.

Several similar attacks were reported throughout Karnataka on Sunday, and extremists also made terrorism threats against churches there.

They threatened a congregation that had a new building, which was just dedicated the previous Sunday. Services were conducted there Sunday under police protection.

The weekend violence was not limited to Karnataka. In the state of Jharkhand, militants surrounded a home where a GFA missionary was leading a worship service. When the service was over the militants rounded up the pastor and some of the believers and dragged them to a Hindu temple in a nearby forest.

The militants beat the Christians and demanded money, which they said was necessary to perform the "re-conversion" rituals that would make them Hindus. They tormented the believers for more than four hours before police broke up the standoff. The militants and the Christians were called to the police station Monday and the police asked them to work out a compromise. Church leaders are working with the Jharkhand government to prevent any more attacks.

In Karnataka, a mish-mash of laws affect what constitutes legal assembly for Christians. All places of worship must be registered with the state, and while it is not written into law, police consider it "illegal" for congregations to meet in homes or rented spaces, such as community centers. As a result, many congregations meeting in rented facilities are being shut down under this unwritten "law."

Karnataka also has an anti-conversion law. This law was passed under the guise of "protecting" poor and low-caste people from what the Hindu radicals call "forcible conversions." The extremists falsely charge that Christian missionaries offer inducements, such as money or jobs, to the poor who convert to Christianity. Such false accusations are then used to incite violence against the Christians.

The Hindu radicals are also highly critical of non- Indian missionaries, as well as any Christian groups that receive funds from countries outside of India, especially the United States.

Most of the violence against Christians in India is being fueled by Hindu political groups who hold to a philosophy known as Hindutva.

Hindutva is a word derived from two terms, "Hindu" and "Tattya," which literally means "Hindu Principals." The term was coined in the 1920s by an Indian philosopher, but is now most often used in the political context of promoting Hindu nationalism.

The VHP (World Hindu Council), who used the assassination of one of its most strident anti- Christian leaders as an excuse for the latest round of violence in Orissa, is committed to the Hindutva principal that "to be Indian is to be Hindu." They promote the concept of India becoming a totally Hindu nation and driving out Christianity and Islam.

Karnataka's top elected officials belong to political parties that are known to promote Hindutva.

"These people do not represent the majority of Hindus, or of the Indian people at large," Dr. Yohannan said. "This violence is led by a small group of fanatics who are bringing a bad name to India. We must pray for the people of India, and for their leaders, that peace will return to this land."

Gospel for Asia is an evangelical mission organization based in Carrollton involved in sharing the love of Jesus across South Asia.

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