Christians in India were subject to an attack from Hindu extremists. Rather than stop the assault, local police joined in.

A mob of 20–30 Hindu nationalists assaulted members of a church in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Members of the church reported that they had been told during the attack, “We will continue to hit you until you abuse and curse Jesus.”

The mob beat several men with batons and even used the chairs in the hall where the church meet to hit the women and children. As the attack escalated, members of the church, along with the Hindu landlord who rents the building to the church to meet in, were dragged outside and were threatened with death.

Outside, the mob continued their attack with police cars parked nearby. Not one of the officers in the cars stopped the attack. Eventually the officers began violently arresting church members – not the mob! 

At the police station, the head officer made more threats against the Christians, cursing Christ as he did so. Those arrested were subjected to more beatings while in custody. 

Members of the church, despite meeting peacefully, were accused of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. 

This attack is sadly not uncommon in Uttar Pradesh, one of the most unreached and densely populated regions of the world. If the state was a country in its own right, it would be the fifth most populated nation on earth. Hinduism is fiercely held to with other faiths strongly persecuted. Anti–conversion laws have been in place for a number of years.

Pray for this church who have been attacked that justice would be served. Pray for all those injured, that the Lord would bring healing and comfort. Pray too for evangelists and pastors supported by AsiaLink in this region, that they would be protected from attacks such as these as they share the gospel with the many unreached people in Uttar Pradesh.