Anti-persecution charity International Christian Christian Concern (ICC) today issued a report on the terrifying attack, which took place in November. The ICC said the children were threatened by the radical Hindu Munnani group who tore their books to pieces in front of them. Pastor Selva Raj was leading a worship in Amathur village when the attack took place.
The group also destroyed a shed in front of a building being used for worship, and then demanded police banish the pastor leading the ministry.
Pastor Raj told Morning Star News: “They took away Bible storybooks and some song and activity books from the children and tore them to pieces.”
He added: “They scared the children away by telling them that they will beaten up if they are seen in the church premises ever again.”
As the pastor was trying to calm and reassure the children, police informed him a complaint had been made and he would have to accompany them to the police station.
When he was at the station radicals gathered outside and demanded his banishment from the village to which the police refused.
Pastor Raj told the Morning Star News: “I told them that I am not going to write anything. The inspector also told them, ‘if he has done something wrong, you tell us, and we can give him strong warning not to do it. But we do not have the authority to tell anyone to leave the village.’”
The radicals then attempted to put pressure on Pastor Raj’s landlord and demand he be evicted from the property.
The ICC reported Pastor Raj has not been evicted, however the landlord will not renew the rental agreement which is due to expire in January.
Christians suffering attacks in their place of worship by radicals continue to rise in number and intensity.
Extremist groups like the Hindu Munanni have been given a “wide berth” by local authorities to harass Christian communities.
Recently the ICC reported an Indian pastor was arrested for showing a movie about Jesus.
Paster Sojan was showing the film ‘Yeshu Masih’ when he was arrested and detained by police in Bakhtiyarpur village.
It was reported villagers wanted the pastor removed from the village and also attempted to stop him showing the movie.
President of the Global Council of Indian Christians Sajan George told Asia News: “Rev. Sojan was just showing a movie. Minorities are eve more vulnerable and intimidated by the majority of false accusations.”
Christian pastors and evangelists are repeatedly accused of forced conversions against majority religions in India.