Escalating violence against Christian community in Karnataka

The state known for its serenity and undisturbed peace is now witnessing barbaric attacks against the minority Christian community.

On 12th August, a mob of 200 activists from the Hindu Jagarana Vedike and Shiva Sainya youth association attacked the house of Pastor Premkumar in Davangere town.

The police forcefully arrested eleven persons including four women to take them into detention.

According to GCIC (Global council of Indian Christians), a Christian advocacy group based in Bangalore, "The perpetrators have formed smaller groups and traveled to homes of independent pastors and evangelists all over the district, in every taluk, threatening them to stop holding church services."

The small Christian community in the area has been terrorised, and pastors have fled leaving their wives and small children behind, as even the police officials are advising them to do so, added GCIC.

Last week, students from a Bible college in Turvekere, in the same state, were attacked by an angry mob of anti–Christian elements.

After physically torturing the missionaries, the extremists handed them over to the police, where they were subjected to more physical and mental torture.

Kanakapura taluk in Kodipura village, Karnataka, witnessed an attack on a Christian prayer meeting instigated by Hindu religious zealots.

"A mob of nearly 10–15 extremists barged into the church, abused the pastor and made false accusations of forcible conversions," according to GCIC report.

The radicals further summoned more men to join in shouting anti–Christian slogans and harassing the Christians. The men have been arrested by the police.

On 10th August, this month, a church consisting of over 80 believers from various backgrounds were subjected to physical abuses and attacks by RSS and BJP members.

Several members of the congregation were injured in the attack on the church.

The police have agreed to provide security during the church services and also have arrested six persons involved in the attack.

On the same day, in another village of Karnataka, two pastors were stripped and paraded tied to a four wheeler for their vigorous evangelism. The Emmanabettur village witnessed this brutal attack during a prayer meeting organised by Pastor Rajendra Gowda.

It is believed that Shivasainya Youth Association was behind this incident.

Later the same day, police arrested the Christians and charged an FIR against them under section 295A, 298 and 504.

In the wake of these escalating attacks against the Christian community in the state, GCIC has urged the churches and Christians to pray for the victims and for law and order to prevail.

It further urged the President of India to direct the concerned authorities to extend protection and justice to all sections of our society