A 52-year-old Christian died while several others were reported hurt in an attack by a radical Hindu nationalist group on Christians in India’s Rajasthan state.
In a belated report, the Washington-based International Christian Concern, said the Christians were seriously injured after they were brutally beaten with a gun, swords, and sickles by a mob on May 18.
At least 15 radical Hindu nationalists reportedly attacked the family of Pastor Ramesh Bumbariya at his home in the Bansawra District after the family refused to renounce their faith.
During the assault, the attackers shot Pastor Bumbariya’s father, Bhima Bumbariya.
Pastor Bumbariya and two other members of his family were transported to the government hospital in Udaipur, but the hospital staff refused to admit them due to COVID-19 regulations.
“I believe God has a definite purpose in keeping me alive,” said Pastor Bumbariya. “I will carry on the ministry God has given to me,” he added.
“We gave up so much already for the sake of our faith,” said the Christian pastor.
“They took away our agricultural land, they destroyed our house, now they want our lives. I am worried about my family and children; about what will happen to them when I am not around,” he said.
Pastor Bumbariya worked as a church planter in the Bansawra District and has started several house churches in different villages.
The pastor has been attacked several times in the past and has even had a false forced conversion allegation filed against him, said the International Christian Concern report.
William Stark, regional manager, of the church rights group, expressed “deep concern” over the recent attack on Christians in India.
“No one should be murdered because they choose to follow Jesus,” he said.
He noted that in recent years, “the impunity enjoyed by radical Hindu nationalists in India has emboldened them to increase their attacks on Christians, in both number and severity.”
“Authorities in India must do more to bring these radicals to justice and provide Indian Christians with their religious freedom rights guaranteed by India’s constitution,” said Stark.
According to the All India Christian Council, there was an attack on Christians recorded every 40 hours in India in 2016.
In a report by the Indian organization Persecution Relief, the crimes against Christians increased by 60 percent from 2016 to 2019.