Radical Hindus in Uttar Pradesh falsely accused three Christians of forced conversions that led to their arrest on November 26. The three remain imprisoned.
The incident occurred when seven radicals broke into a prayer meeting in Christian home in Dharoura village, said pastor Ramjit, a local pastor from Mau district. Around 20 Christians were at the prayer meeting led by pastor Ajay and pastor Omparkash, the two accused.
The attackers abused the Christians asking them to cease the prayer meeting immediately and threatened them to recant their faith. When the Christians refused to recant their faith, the radicals called the local police and accused pastor Ajay, pastor Omparkash and another Christian named Kapildev of forced conversions.
The three were taken to the district police station and charged with several crimes including the blasphemy law.
"There seems to be a well thought out plan by the Hindu radicals to systematically attacks churches and Christians in about 30 villages in the district," pastor Ramjit told International Christian Concern (ICC). "There is a sense of anti-Christian sentiment due to the pro-Hindu governments of both the state and the national government. This makes things easy for the attackers."
Attacks against Christians in Uttar Pradesh has accelerated since media outlets reported the state government's idea to pass the anti-conversion law. Believers in the state fear such a law will only be misused to harass and target Christian community in the state.
