Christian Persecution in India and Syria Update

ASIA/INDIA - Hindu Fanatics beat Christians in Karnataka

Mundargi (Karnataka) - Allegations of conversions and then violent beatings: is what the Hindu extremists of the movement RSS ("Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh", "National Volunteer Organization") did against the Christian Protestant Pastor Mallikarjun Sangalada, 37, and other four Christians of his community. The umpteenth episode of gratuitous violence which occurred in the district of Mundargi Gadag, in the Indian state of Karnataka (South India). The Pastor, with his wife and 3 children, carries out his ministry in a small local community that, in several villages, has a total of about 60 members.
On Wednesday, March 28, the Pastor went to a prayer meeting at the house of a believer in Dhoni, about 15 kilometers from his village. After the prayer meeting, the Pastor, along with four other believers, began distributing some leaflets inviting locals to a Christian community festival. This made some Hindu fundamentalists very angry and attacked and beat them without mercy. Then they dragged the five to the police station in Mundargi, denouncing them for "forced conversions from Hindus to Christianity".
The "Global Council of Indian Christians", an organization that defends the rights of Indian Christians, by contacting the local police was able to secure the immediate release of the three Christians. Later a lawyer intervened who, after a few hours, managed to secure the release of the pastor and other believers. It is likely that the Pastor must appear before a magistrate because they are accused of "fraudulent conversions".
In 2011 there were over 1,000 incidents of attacks against Christian people or places in Karnataka, which according to Fides sources, "seems to be the most violent and insecure state": among the 1,000 cases registered, over 140 are severe episodes of persecution against Christians , characterized by false allegations of "forced conversions". Recently Bishops, Christian leaders, movement and association leaders, state politicians, gathered for the Convention of the "Federation of Christian Associations of Karnataka" (FKCA) have launched an appeal to the civil authorities asking them to ensure the protection of Christian Indians and respect for religious freedom. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 30/3/2012)

ASIA/SYRIA - Christians being targeted by armed Islamist gangs

Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - Armed Islamist gangs, that pollute the Syrian Liberation Army, have targeted some believers in the ongoing conflict in Syria: is what several sources say to Fides in the Christian community in Syria, of various denominations. Despite the assurances by the Revolutionary Council of Homs and the Syrian National Council on the fact that "there is not an ongoing denominational war against Christians", Fides learns about alarming stories and testimonies that show how the Islamist, Salafis and Wahhabis groups, seek to seize or manipulate the Syrian opposition.
Some Christian families confirm to Fides that they were evicted from Homs because "considered close to the regime". Over 10 thousand Christians have fled from the town of Kusayr, on the border with Lebanon, following pressure from Sunni Islamist groups, a local priest told Fides. According to Fides sources, after the first few months of fighting, the army of the opposition "have been joined by the Islamist armed gangs, mercenaries, Lebanese Sunni militants".
Christians who do not want to join the popular uprising are increasingly marginalized and then "considered enemies" of the revolution. Not only: the Islamist gangs have been driven out from the district of Hamidiya in Homs some Christians who declared themselves in favor of the opposition, even present within the local coordination of opposition groups. As a source tells Fides, the militants broke into their house and told them: "All your assets are to be for Islam; go away, otherwise we will kill you".
Meanwhile, many homes, roads, buildings in the Christian district of Homs are currently littered with mines and explosives, to prevent a possible Syrian regular army advance. Last week a representative of the Syrian Catholic community tried to meet with members of the Syrian army of liberation to ask to save a historic and cultural heritage (historic buildings and places of worship) which shows the traces of centuries of the Christian faith in the city. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 30/3/2012)

 

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