Bilagi - Bagalkot (Karnataka)L22-4-11) - A gang of suspected Hindu fundamentalists attacked a group of Christians on 22-4-11, at Muttaldinni Village in Bilagi taluk of Bagalkot District in Karnataka. We understand that the incident took place when the devotees led by the physically handicapped pastor, Pastor Gurappa Powar and Pastor Ashok Motilal Powar, were offering Good Friday prayers in the village. A gang of about 50 radicals, led by their ring leader Chandru, wielding clubs in their hands barged into the hall in which the prayer service was being held. They ordered all the people attending the prayer service to convert themselves to Hinduism. This led to a verbal clash between the radical group and the Christians. Then, it is learnt that the gang attempted to assault pastors Ashok and Gurappa when they refused to re-convert and apply kumkum on their foreheads.

They also taunted the pastor saying that they would arrange a payment of Rs 10,000 if he gave up Christianity and became a Hindu.

But the Believers we understand put up a stiff resistance and told the radicals that they believed only Jesus Christ. The infuriated attackers then tried to assault them and tore the Bibles and the hymn books. The attackers then also filed a false complaint against Pastor Gurappa Pawar and Pastor Ashok Motilal Pawar, alleging that they were involved forcible conversions, and inciting religious hatred in the place.

The Police Sub Inspector Mr. Shankar Rathode, we understand, tried to help and bring the situation under control, failing which, the whole thing would have taken a different turn. The local police had refused to take action against the culprits even after receiving the complaint of attack against the Christians, as it was clear that they were supporting the radicals. The devotees who were present during the prayer service would now be presented before the Superintendent of Police, Mr. Abhishek Goel, and the whole incident would be narrated before him and a written complaint would be also lodged.

The handicapped pastor, Pastor Gurappa Pawar, who has sustained a number of injuries, has been admitted in the local Government Hospital. Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), is in touch with the affected people and also the police authorities and is demanding the Karnataka Government to give the necessary protection to the handicapped pastor and his family and also security to carry on with worship and prayer services. More importantly, the GCIC is also demanding protection to all the pastors in Karnataka who are being regularly attacked by the Hinduvta extremists in the State. The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), is diligently following this issue from the beginning.