(Express) – A group of nine Christians was assaulted by Indian police over claims they were trying to force people to change religions. Religious freedom charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported nine pastors, including one man with disabilities, were violently assaulted on February 21.
The incident happened in the town of Sathankulam in Tamil Nadu State. The pastors were there on a mission trip as part of their involvement in Devasabai Church. Across four days they were scheduled to distribute Christian literature and spread the message of the Bible. It has been alleged the men were stopped by a member of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, Ponniah, who seized the texts and accused the men of converting people by force.
He then alerted local authorities to the presence of the men. Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported the men were then severely beaten by police. Officers apparently took a bamboo baton to one member of the group, Pastor Barnabas, who sustained injuries to his back and legs. READ MORE
