Worship services at a village church in central India’s Madhya Pradesh have been indefinitely suspended following a violent attack by Hindu extremists, according to a report by Morning Star News.
On June 1, a mob of approximately 20 villagers, led by members of the Hindu extremist group Bajrang Dal, disrupted a service at the home of Pastor Madia Damor in Thuvadara village, Jabua District.
The congregation, which included women and children, was assaulted during their fasting prayer session.
“There was all chaos… The children and women were crying, shouting, asking them to stop, but they forcefully dragged them out of my house,” said Pastor Damor.
“When I tried to stop the mob from attacking the women and children, they pushed me off and threatened me that they would kill me if I conducted church prayers in the village again,” he added.
The violence escalated when the mob targeted a 54-year-old Christian, identified only as Noorji, who was isolated from the group and pelted with stones.
The pastor said the mob started pelting stones at Noorji. “Then they pointed at Noorji and warned the members that whoever gathers for prayers would be stoned to death. They scared the children also by pointing at Noorji, saying, ‘Look at him! This could be you if you come to prayers again’,” he said.
Noorji was hospitalized for over a month and is still not fully recovered. His medical expenses have been a burden on his family, as he is a laborer earning daily wages.
The Bajrang Dal mob targeted him because his entire family had converted to Christianity, according to the pastor.
Following the attack, the villagers attempted to report the incident at the Ranapur Taluk police station. However, Pastor Damor claimed that the police were dismissive and even sided with the assailants.
This is not the first time the congregation has faced hostility; similar incidents occurred in 2019, 2015, and 2012.
Each report to the police was met with disbelief, according to Pastor Damor. The 2019 assault led to a temporary halt of the worship services due to severe injuries sustained by his daughter-in-law.
Despite these challenges, the church adapted during the COVID-19 lockdown by holding virtual services, which attracted new members, including some previous attackers.
Currently, church members meet early in the morning for discreet prayer sessions to avoid further confrontations.
According to the 2024 World Watch List by Christian support organization Open Doors, India ranks 11th among countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, a significant rise from its 31st position in 2013.
