Hindu extremists in Chhattisgarh state attacked 100 Christians when they
dared to challenge the decision to deny them food rations because of their
faith.
Ten believers had to be hospitalised and one was in a coma for two days
after the vicious assault in Sirisguda village.
The violence started when government officials came to the village to
investigate complaints made by local Christians that they had been denied food
rations for several months. They alleged the village head had discriminated
against them because of their faith.
Extremists chased officials away from the village and, soon afterwards, a
large mob wielding sticks and stones and shouting Hindu slogans attacked the
Christians. Aitu Mandavi, who was beaten unconscious, said his assailants told
him he ‘deserved to die’ because he was a Christian.
The day after the attack the village head called a public meeting to
declare that everyone should embrace Hinduism or their lands would be seized.
‘They may kill us, but we are not going to leave Jesus who loves us,’ said one
Christian villager.
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