India: Hindu Extremists Violently Attack Three Members Of Christian Family Over Refusal To Renounce Christ

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Hindu extremists in India’s Chhattisgarh state violently assaulted a Christian man and his father and brother last week after he refused to renounce Christ and return to Hinduism, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. Christians in Chhattisgarh state have been increasingly violently targeted by Hindu extremists who, emboldened by the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, are seeking to impose their version of the religion as the dominant ideology in India.

A Hindu convert to Christianity, Ayatu Ram Podiyami, of Gufanpal village, Sukma district, Chhattisgarh State, was approached by 20 of his Hindu neighbors who asked him to return to Hinduism, CSW reports. When he refused, a mob of 250 gathered at his door, demanding that he renounce his faith. The Hindus demanded that he and his parents and his brother convert back to Hinduism by 12 Feb. or face dire consequences. The family reported the incident to Tongal police, but nothing came of their efforts to ease the tensions.

On Feb. 12, the mob returned and again asked Ayatu to renounce Christ. When he refused the mob began to beat him unconscious with rods and then attacked his father and brother causing all three to be hospitalized. Ayatu’s father Mahngu Ram Podiyami suffered a critical head injury but is now out of life-threatening danger. A second police report has been filed.

In a statement about the attack, CSW Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘CSW condemns this attack on Mr Podiyami and his family, who should be free to practice any religion or belief of their choosing without fear of threats or physical violence.”

“We are also disappointed that the authorities do not seem to have treated this case with the seriousness it deserves, and we insist that a full investigation bringing all those responsible for this shocking attack to justice remains an utmost priority,” Thomas said.

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