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Wikipedia
World News

India Christians attacked in run-up to Christmas

by Aaron James

According to International Christian Concern (ICC) two separate attacks against Christians have happened in the country in the last week.

On December 15 a group of 25 extremists, believed to be Hindu nationalists, broke into a house in Sarangi, Madhya Pradesh State, where Christians were singing carols.

ICC says the mob then dragged some of the Christians into the street and started beating them before accusing four pastors of trying to convert people by force and then handing them into police.

As of Friday, the four pastors were still waiting to be released on bail.

Before that attack, on December 11 ICC said a mob of 30 suspected Hindu nationalists beat a group of Christians with wooden clubs in Tikiriya, Rajasthan State.

Asia News, which also reported on the event, said five of the believers have been treated in a nearby hospital.

Fr Stephen Rawat, a priest injured in the attack, told them: "I have no enemies.

"I was beaten because of my Christian faith."

William Stark, ICC's Regional Manager, said: "These vicious attacks on Christians celebrating the Christmas holiday are totally unacceptable.

"Christians should not fear attacks while celebrating Christmas. It is their right to freely celebrate the religious holidays they hold dear according to India's constitutional protections.

"More must be done in India's rural areas to ensure that the religious freedom rights of all citizens are respected and to show that the activities of religious extremists will not be tolerated."

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