International Christian Concern has documented a sudden spike in attacks on Christians across the country. Since the lockdown has lifted, ICC has recorded at least eight incidents of persecution in just two weeks. These incidents include physical assaults, damage to Christian properties, and threats issued by radical Hindu nationalists.
Pastor Suresh Rao, a victim of this new wave of persecution, told ICC –“They kicked me like they would kick a football. They dragged me into the street and pushed me to the ground. There, they started to trample on me. They tore my clothes, kicked me all over my body, and punched my left eye. I have sustained a serious eye injury as a result of a blood clot.”
Pastor Rao, who serves as a church planter was brutally attacked while he was praying for a sick person in a nearby village. According to local Christians, Pastor Rao arrived at the sick person’s house around 9:30 a.m. for prayer. Soon the house was surrounded by a mob of nearly 150 people led by a man named Ashok.
The mob broke into the house, dragged Pastor Rao into the street, and beat him. During the attack, members of the mob claimed Pastor Rao was involved in illegal religious conversions, converting Hindus to Christianity.
Rao explained — “They said that India is a Hindu nation, and there is no place for Christians.”