Six members of the Hindu Munnani group attacked 40 Christian Pilgrims who were on their way to Velankanni last Sunday.
The Pilgrims began their journey from Karnataka and were carrying a statue of virgin Mary decorated with flowers. The radical Hindu nationalists blocked the road, accused the Christians of converting and defiled the statue of Mary by placing a garland of slippers around the neck.
A report was filed and the six suspected members of the radical group were arrested the day after the attack.
President of the Global Council of Indian Christians, Sajan K George protests for the grave abuse of religious freedom, intolerance and disrespectful behavior towards innocent pilgrims. "They feared for their lives. Government data report that Christians are less than 3% of the Indian population, so conversion propaganda is false and fabricated," he said.
Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Bangalore, Father Cyril Joseph said such attacks are a serious threat to peace and harmony, especially between people of different religious groups. "Though the attack was on a small group, the message is for all Christians. It was an open threat against public expression and practice of our faith," he added.
