Release International

Hindu nationalists attacked four church leaders and a pregnant woman in Karnataka, killing her unborn child.

The woman, who is married to one of the pastors, was kicked in the stomach when about 40 extremists raided a Christian gathering at a school in Chintamani, Kolar district.

According to Compass Direct news agency, the attack continued even after police arrived at the scene. And when the violence ended, officers took the injured Christians to the police station, not their assailants.

The church leaders and the pastor's wife were held for about seven hours and were released only when the woman, who was four months pregnant, began bleeding profusely. She and her husband were taken for treatment at hospital where she lost her baby.
 
Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the attack. The Hindu nationalists have now filed a police complaint against the Christians relating to charges which included 'deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs'. They allege that Hindu gods were insulted during the Christian gathering at the school. A court has granted the Christians 'anticipatory bail', so they were not detained again.

The Christians present at the school were celebrating the birth of Mahatma Gandhi – who is considered the 'father of the nation' by Indians of all faiths. Gandhi himself was a Hindu and led the Indian nationalist movement, until he was killed by a Hindu extremist in 1948.

(Sources: BBC, Compass Direct)

• Ask God to comfort the pastor and his wife who lost their unborn child. Ask Him to bless them with more children.
• Pray for justice for the Christians attacked in this raid, so that all charges against them will be dropped and their assailants brought to book.

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