Hindu extremists beat pastor in India

Hindu extremists beat pastor in India

DABLI RATHAN, India — A pastor in India’s Dabli Rathan village suffered serious head and leg injuries Aug. 16 after a band of Hindu extremists snuck into a house church service and beat him with steel rods and sticks.

One of Pastor Harjot Singh Sethi’s attackers yelled at him that they would stop if he shouted “Hail, Lord Ram,” but he refused.

“I am glad the Lord considered me worthy to share His pain,” he said. “I don’t have to be treated special or elevated because I am persecuted. My Lord was crucified, His disciples were persecuted, and violence against Christ followers is not a new thing. This was to come.”

The extremists attacked the young pastor and eight other Christians, accusing them of forced conversions. Police reportedly detained six of the attackers, but the extremist who ordered the pastor to shout “Hail, Lord Ram” while they beat him is reportedly roaming free even though he posted videos of the attack on Facebook. (MS)