Persecution
Indian Christians Targeted
By Gary Lane
CBN News
CWNews.com–--Christians in India are speaking out about a rash of attacks being committed against their pastors, churches and evangelists. At least 100 incidents have occurred so far this year.
One shocking assault was recently captured on videotape by an Indian camera crew.
Pastor Walter Masih was attacked by young Hindu militants following a recent prayer meeting in his home. As the videotape shows, he cried out to the Lord as he was bludgeoned with wooden clubs. The radicals also destroy some of Masih's possessions.
The assault is witnessed by a television camera crew, who does nothing to stop the attack. Masih's seven-year old daughter, Hebzebha is tramatized by the vicious assault.
Masih is hospitalized with internal injuries.
"One young boy hit me on my face, then all the others came and started bashing me." he said. "All of them were hitting me with sticks and rods and whatever they could get a hold of at that time."
The attack occurred in Jaipur, Rajistan-southwest of Delhi.
The pastor's friends and neighbors were outraged by the violent attack.
A.B. Paul is a human rights activist. "Walter Masih is a peace loving man and he never got indulged into any of the anti-social activities," he said. "He preached the message of love and compassion. He never crossed any one at any time. Therefore, I condemn this and want justice to be done at the earliest," Paul continued.
However, justice may be slow in coming. No arrests have been made and only one local politician has spoken out forcefully against the violence. Senior leaders of the ruling party were accused of inciting young men to carry out attacks on members of the minority communities.
Christian leaders say they expect more attacks against them.
Their belief may be well-founded. Seven Indian states, including Rajisthan, have now enacted anti-conversion laws.
Christians say Hindu extremists are using the laws to falsely accuse them of converting Indians through coersion or allurement. Militants also use the laws to justify their attacks against the Christians.
"Of late in the city of Jaipur, we have witnessed that Christian believers have been threatened in various churches," said Jaipur Christian Society's Vijay Paul. "We are not allowed to profess our faith in open. Even on the roads, there are incidents where we have been tortured."
Christians in Rajisthan are not alone. Believers throughout India are now suffering an average of about one incident per day. Many look to the ruling Congress Party for protection. But some like Pastor Masih say they know the only one they can truly trust for their security is God.
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