A Christian wedding in central India turned violent when a group of Hindu extremists attacked guests, leaving several people injured and damaging vehicles.
The incident happened on 11 June in a village in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. The wedding was being held for a relative of a local pastor. As the celebration was underway, a mob of extremists suddenly arrived and began attacking those present.
Family members of the bride and groom ran for safety. Many locked themselves inside the house to avoid harm. The bride ran into nearby fields to hide, while the groom escaped in another direction.
During the attack, the mob attempted to set a vehicle on fire by pouring petrol on its tyres. They also vandalised several cars and motorbikes parked near the venue. The sudden violence left guests frightened and traumatised.
When some of the victims went to the local police station to ask for help, officers reportedly said they did not have enough personnel to provide protection.
The next morning, the groom’s father returned to the village quietly to collect leftover items from the wedding. Some of the attackers recognised him and gathered again to assault him and two others. All three were badly beaten and had to be taken to hospital.
Local Christians are deeply concerned. They say attacks are increasing, and not just during church services or prayer meetings, but also at weddings and family events. In recent months, Christians in other states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have faced legal trouble for attending birthday parties, with some pastors facing false accusations in court.
Church leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, have warned that Christians in Chhattisgarh are no longer safe. They say government authorities are failing to protect the community and are ignoring violations of constitutional rights.
Adapted from International Christian Concern.
