HRWF India: Religious Freedom Issues, A chronology of events: January - December 2011 6 January Akhil Prasanna, Shiju Mathew, and Thomas George were beaten by a group of 35 Hindu nationalists. The three Christian men were distributing religious tracts when they were assaulted by the group and taken to the police station in Rajawada, Kolaphur district, Maharashtra state. There, police forced them to promise that they would discontinue all Christian work in the area. 11 January Pastor Saul Pradhan, 45, was found dead in the village of Pakala (Orissa state). Relatives say that two men involved in anti-christian activities in 2008 were seen speaking with Pastor Pradhan on the night of 10 January. Pradhan's family accused local police of protecting those responsible after police said the death was most likely an "unnatural death." 12 January Itu Veko, a recent Hindu convert to Christianity, was seriously injured by a group of Hindu extremists in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh state, who beat him because of his conversion. 14 January Police in Nizamabad district (Andhra Pradesh state) refused to register an assault case filed by a Christian pastor named Swamidas. The pastor was travelling with several other Christians to a meeting when they were attacked by a group of unidentified men. 16 January In Konta district, Chhattisgarh state Hindu extremists attacked a group of 15 Christians during a prayer service. 21 January Dara Sing was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of an Australian missionary and his sons. Sing, a Hindu, was convicted in 1999 of burning to death Graham Staines, a missionary who had been working with leprosy patients in Orissa state. 23 January Police in Karnataka state's Haveri district arrested Pastor Suresh Yakob and 10 members of his congregation after Hindu extremists forced their way into the pastor's home to disrupt worship services being held there. The police reprimanded the extremists and declared that the Christians had not broken any laws. 25 January A Christian worship service in Koppal district (Karnataka state) was interrupted by 20 Hindu extremists, who damaged church property while accusing the Christians of forced conversions. The extremists also called the police, who arrested the church's pastors Harris and Kumar for violating Section 295(A) of the Penal Code which prohibits "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting religion or religious beliefs." 26 January Masked Hindu extremists in Andhra Pradesh state's Secunderabad kidnapped and beat Christian Pastor Jonathan D. The pastor was taken to a Hindu temple where the extremists told him to worship the idols housed there. Jonathan managed to escape and return to his family. 28 January A government commission into the 2008 attacks on Christians in Karnataka state stated that the violence was provoked by derogatory "material" about Hindus issued by Christians. The commission recommended the creation of an "anti-conversion law." 28 January In Kanakagiri, Koppal district (Karnataka state) five Christians were detained and beaten by Hindu extremists. J. Ravi, Lawrence, Williams, Manjula, and James were told by the extremists to either convert or move from the village. 31 January In the Lalgarh district, West Bengal state Hindu extremists vandalized a church and attacked the pastor and members of his congregation. Pastor Mahandra Nath Deve was conducting worship
services with his congregation when he was interrupted by 25 Hindu extremists. The men caused US$645 worth of damage to the church. 1 February Pastor Hari Shankar Ninama, 65, was attacked by a group of 10 men and left naked on the roadside while he was praying at the home of an ill 8-year-old boy. The incident occurred in Pratapgarh, Rajasthan state, located in northwestern India. 8 February Christians in Karnataka state filed a petition against the commission that on 28 January blamed 2008's anti-christian attacks on Christian missionary work. The Christians accused the government commission of being a mouthpiece for anti-christian, extremist Hindu groups. 9 February The High Court of Madhya state ordered the state government to guarantee the safety of Christians during a Hindu nationalist rally taking place 10-12 February. 15 February US$370,000 were donated by the Kandhamal district (Orissa) government to local Christians for the purpose of rebuilding homes damaged in anti-christian violence in August 2008. 28 February Catholics in a Mumbai suburb staged a sit-in protest to the destruction of 729 crosses. In response, the municipal government decreed that no cross erected before 1964 will be destroyed. The municipality is engaged in a large road reconstruction and improvement project, requiring the demolition of buildings, including churches and roadside crosses. 30 March Catholic service missionary Fr. Jim Borst was ordered by the government of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to leave the country within one week. The missionary, who for 48 years has carried out charitable work in the Kashmir valley, was accused of proselytism and conversion of Muslims to Christianity. 3 April Police from Hosanagara police station in Karnataka state arrested Pastor Abraham K.G and a fellow Christian during worship services for using "abusive language." The men were released after they signed a statement stating that they would stop conducting worship services. 4 April Police officials in Mulki (Karnataka) seized church documents from the Hebron Assembly Church and ordered its pastor to not allow Hindus to its services. 7 April A group of Hindu extremists in Sagar (Madhya state) disrupted a Christian house church by complaining to police of forceful conversion. Pastor Joy Thomas Philip and three members of his congregation were detained and released on bail. 9 April A mob of Hindu extremists used clubs and stones to attack a Christian worship service in Bhajanpura, East Delhi (Delhi state). The attackers destroyed property and severely injured several Christians and policemen assigned as security. Two arrests were made. 10 April A group of 25 Hindu extremists disrupted a Christian worship service in Mysore (Karnataka) and accused the Christians of forcing conversions. The extremists complained to the police, who proceeded to arrest Pastor Vinod Chacko and other members of the congregation. 19 May Christians in Sahidabad district (Uttar state) were forced by Hindu extremists to halt construction on a new prayer hall/pastor's home. 20 May Tarzan, a recent Hindu convert to Christianity, was beaten and had his home destroyed by Hindu extremists in Chhattisgarh state's Champa district. 28 May Five Christian families in Palamu district (Jharkhand state) were attacked by Hindu extremists. The families went into hiding. June
Three Christian families in Jharkhand state, who recently converted from Hinduism, were threatened by other villagers to renounce their Christianity or be beaten. The families left the village and went into hiding. 5 June Karnataka state police arrested Pastor Manjunath Venketappa Naik and other Christians for forcible conversion. All were released without being charged. 8 June In Pratapgarh (Rajasthan state) the 65-year-old father of a Christian pastor was beaten unconscious when armed men stormed the pastor's home and attacked his family. Pastor Shantilal Ninama said that this was only the most recent of a series of assaults and threats on him and his family. On the morning of 8 June, the pastor and village leaders signed an agreement stating the Ninama and his family would be free from harm if the pastor agreed to not bringing charges against those who threatened him. The attack on his family later that day seems to be the result of anger over the agreement. 12 June A Catholic man and two leprosy patients were arrested by police in Karnataka state. Retired Indian Army Cpl. Henry Baptist Robey was celebrating Pentecost with over 80 Hindu leprosy patients at his home. Neighbors informed police that Robey was attempting to convert the Hindus to Catholicism, a charge which was denied by both Robey and the leprosy patients. Robey and two other men were detained for violating Section 295(A), which forbids "deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings." 12 June 50 knife-wielding extremists threatened Pastor Robinson and members of his congregation during worship services in southern India's Tamil Nadu state. 19 June Christians in Durg district, Chhattisgarh state were ordered by Hindu extremists to leave the area. 21 June Four Christians were arrested in Vrajpet distict (Karnataka state) on charges of forceful conversion. In Shimago district (Karnataka state), officials revoked a Christian school's permit at the request of Hindu extremists. Pastor M. Sandeep and a fellow Christian were forcibly taken to a police station by Hindu extremists, where they were charged with hurting religious sentiment, violation of private property, and unlawful coercion. The Christians were returning home from a prayer service in Heggere, Hubli district (Karnataka state). Johnny Lazarus, a Christian, was beaten by a group of men for allegedly performing witchcraft and introducing "a low-caste god" to the area. The incident occurred in Bhongir Mondal district (Andhra Pradesh state). A group of Hindus destroyed a Christian church being constructed by 25 Christian families in Malkangiri district (Orissa state). 2 July A Christian wedding reception was attacked by a mob. Vehicles were destroyed and several partygoers were injured. The incident occurred in Chhattisgarh state's Dhantulsi district. 3 July A pastor accused of forceful conversion and his wife were beaten by a Hindu mob in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Pastor John C.V. Samuel and others were preparing to attend the funeral of a young man who had committed suicide. Samuel's assailants accused him of being the cause of the young man's death. 3 July Extremists disrupted a Sunday worship service in Chhattisgarh state's Korba district, tearing up Bibles and other literature. 8 July
In Banapur (Orissa state) a Christian family was harassed by a group gathered by a Hindu relative. Satyaban Nayak's mother had long threatened to disown Nayak and commit suicide if he did not give up his religion. On 8 July, Nayak's mother beat her daughter-in-law with a log of firewood while a group of local villagers attacked Nayak. 10 July In Midnapur (West Bengal state) the St. Priscilla School was invaded by an extremist group. All Christian items were removed from the building. The Christian family in charge of the school was threatened with death. 13 July Five Christian pastors and one woman were arrested by Uttar Pradesh state police on charges of forceful conversion. 15 July In Dewihar, Ratlam district (Madhya Pradesh state) a Christian church was ransacked by Hindu extremists. The roof of the church was damaged and US$440 was stolen. 21 July A group of Muslims in Natungram, Murshidabad district (West Bengal state) accosted three Christian women and threatened to burn them alive if they did not give up Christianity. 29 July Pastor Diwarkar Kumar was arrested by police in Kawardha district (Chhattisgarh state) on charges of forceful conversion. 31 July A mob of 300 people attacked Christians at a worship service in Makhdoompur (Uttarakhand state). 3 August A Christian pastor and five members of an evangelical group were arrested and accused of promoting enmity between religious groups. The incident occurred in Ramagundam, Karimnagar district (Andhra Pradesh state). 4 August Police arrested four Pentecostal Christians in Karnataka state's Dakshina Kannada district on charges of forced conversion. The Christians were accused of door-to-door proselytizing. 5 August In Motijil, Murshidabad district (West Bengal state) a group of Muslim men disrupted worship services held in the home of Selina Bibi, a woman who recently converted from Christianity to Islam. The mob threatened to burn down the home if Selina did not renounce Christianity. 6 August Dhamatri district (Chhattisgarh state) officials ordered the closure of Grace Church, warning the pastor that if he continued he risked attacks from Hindus and would be held responsible for any violence. 13 August Pastor Ramados Williams was beaten by Hindu extremists in Tamil Nadu state's Thurivavur district. Later in the day, extremists demolished Williams' church, damaged two motorcycles, and stole several goods. Pastor Williams was then taken to the prison and arrested for forced conversions. 22 August Reverend Sangappa Hosamani Shadrak was attacked in Mugol district, Karnataka state by a group of 20 men as he was conducting a Mass. Shadrak was taken from the services to another village where he was tied to a tree and left to fend for himself. 31 August Pastor Veersingh Kalesh was accused of forced conversion. Local villagers defended the pastor and attempted to prevent his arrest. The incident occurred in the village of Khargone (Madhya Pradesh state). 2 September A Christian couple was attacked by Hindu extremists for converting to Christianity in Banapur, Khurda (Orissa state). 6 September A group of twenty masked men sacked a Catholic church in Kottenkulangara (Kerala state), destroying windows, the altar, confessional, light fixtures, and ornaments. 7 September
A Hindu man named Gupsingh Raya Paurana detained and threatened to kill a Christian convert following a series of anti-christian attacks in the state of Maharashtra. These attacks involved forcing Christians to drink alcohol and worship idols. 12 September A baptism service in the state of Madhya Pradesh was interrupted by police and Hindu extremists. 15 Christians and three pastors were arrested. 18 September In Chickmagalur district (Karnataka state) a group of Hindu men set fire to a pastor's motorcycle and vandalized his church building, breaking windows and doors. 18 September Pastor Vishwanath Tirkey and a fellow church member were returning from a prayer meeting when they were accosted by a group of unknown assailants. The men were arrested and told to cease from holding worship services again. The incident took place in the village of Khandar Kona, Chhattisgarh state. 23 September Eight Christians were arrested in Karimnagar district (Andhra Pradesh) for "promoting enmity" between religious groups through proselyting activities. 23 September Following months of discrimination, Christian students were forced to pay an "idol worship fee" at their new high school. The Gilgal Children's Home in Paschim Medinipur district (West Bengal state) was shut down when the orphanage refused to pay to the Puja subscription, or state supported idol worship fund. This fund is used to fund local temples and prayer services used by schools in the area. The students from the Gilgal Children's Home were not admitted at area schools due to their Christian beliefs and refusal to pay the Puja subscription. On 23 September the Gilgal Children's Home signed an agreement with the state government to reopen the orphanage and admit its children to local schools on the condition that they contribute to the idol worship fund. 14 October U.S. evangelist William Lee was deported and forbidden from visiting India again after he was arrested at a Christian music concert in Cochin (Kerala state). Police accused Lee of violating the terms of his visa by preaching. Lee spent three days in prison and was fined US$202. 15 October Joseph Victor, a foreign Christian missionary who operates an orphanage near Bangalore (Karnataka state), had his passport seized by police when he reported that one of the orphans was missing. 17 October Hindu extremists disinterred the body of a Christian woman because she was buried by local Christians illegally on land not authorized for burials. Pastor Moses V. maintains that the burial was legally performed on land he bought for that purpose. The incident occurred in Sullia, South Kanara district (Karnataka state). 28 October Burgul Prasad was sentenced to three years in prison in New Paloncha, Khamman district (Andhra Pradesh state) for pasting a poster advertising an Evangelical event over another religious announcement. This was considered a violation of Section 295(A), which prohibits provoking enmity between religious groups. 12 November In the state of Karnataka police detained two men and three women-along with the 4-year-old son of one the women-for violating Section 295(A) of the penal code. The group of Christians was returning from a prayer meeting when it was accosted by several Hindu extremists. The Christians were beaten and then taken to a local police station for arrest. 17 November A pastor in Kashmere state was accused of "luring" Muslims to Christianity. Rev. Chander Mani Khanna had received many threats from clerics and other Muslims for allegedly offering money to Muslims if they would convert. The allegations and threats came after an internet video surfaced showing seven youths being baptized by Khanna. The youths reported being beaten by police at the urging of Kashmir's grand mufti (the highest Muslim religious law officer). The pastor was arrested and released on bail. 22 November
Three pastors and two Christian workers of the Grace Church of God Welfare Society in Kawardha district (Chhattisgarh state) were arrested on charges of forced conversion under Section 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code. 29 November Several missionaries of the Jehovah's Witnesses were assaulted in Bangalore (Karnataka state) by a mob as they were sharing messages with their neighbors. The mob destroyed their religious literature and took them to a police station where they were accused of forced conversion. 3 December A church building was destroyed by Hindu extremists in Hosur (Tamil Nadu) who also threatened to kidnap Pastor Paul Chinnaswarny's four daughters if he continued Christian activities in the area. 9 December In Indore (Madhya Pradesh state) extremist groups sacked a pastor's home during a prayer service. The extremists invaded the home of Ramesh Asnia, breaking a cross and television. The men also stole US$550 and beat Asnia, his wife, and his mother. 14 December A church was destroyed and its pastor beaten by Hindu extremists in Mumbai (Maharashtra state). Pastor Prabhakara Kaviraj had just left a discussion on an area urban development plan when he was assaulted by a group of men, while others used a bulldozer to raze the church. 18 December In Bangalore (Karnataka state) Pastor Reuben Sathyaraj was arrested for violating Section 295(A). Sathyaraj and another pastor were conducting Sunday worship services when a large mob attacked the congregation. 21 December Christians in Indore (Madhya Pradesh state) were beaten and charged with forced conversion when they gathered to watch a Christian film called the "Jesus Film." 22 December Sagaya Dass, a Christian university student, was arrested for forceful conversion after he and some fellow students organized a Christmas program at SP Hindu College in Nagarcoil, (Tamil Nadu state). 22 December A Christian church was burned down by Hindu extremists in Kadaloor district (Tamil Nadu state) to prevent Christmas celebrations. 25 December Christians celebrating Christmas were beaten with stones and clubs in Mangalore (Karnataka state). Two men and three women were seriously injured and taken to a hospital for treatment. 28 December The state of Karnataka in southern India was identified as the most dangerous state for minorities for the third year in a row. Karnataka had 49 documented cases of anti-christian violence in 2011. The announcement came on the same day of several anti-christian activities across Karnataka. In separate incidents, Christian services were disrupted and Christians were charged with promoting enmity.