A pastor leading a private prayer meeting in Northern India said he was dragged from the gathering and beaten by radical Hindu nationalists, arrested and taken to jail where the beating continued.
The July 28 incident, reported by International Christian Concern, was initiated when members of the extremist Bajrang Dal physically attacked and verbally abused several women and two men heading to the gathering in Kanshiram Colony, Uttar Pradesh. The Bajrang Dal, according to the Christian Post, is a youth militant group affiliated with the Vishva Hindu Parishad and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu extremist umbrella group.
Pastor Raju Prassad said the attack continued when the Bajrang Dal dragged him from the home and beat him. Responding police then arrested the pastor and members of his small fellowship for allegedly converting individuals to Christianity, a crime in many Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh. Pastor Prassad insisted he was only praying when the assault began. The Christians were taken to the Chakeri police station where the militants continued to beat the pastor.
After being detained for five hours, police determined no conversions were taking place during the gathering and Pastor Prassad and his members were released. No action was taken against the attackers.
The incident is the latest in a string of escalating attacks…
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