Madhya Pradesh: India has seen a rise in Hindutva attacks against minorities especially Christians and Muslims. According to a report by human rights groups, more than 300 attacks on Christians took place in first nine months of this year across India, including at least 30 in Karnataka.
Recently, at least 100 members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal vandalized a missionary school in Madhya Pradesh’s Vidisha district, Ganj Bedosa. Hindutva violence took place while the students of Class 12 were sitting for an exam. School principal Brother Anthony Tynumkal told that mob was armed with iron rods and shouted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slogans.
School property was damaged. They alleged that eight students were forcefully converted to Christianity. St Joseph School and its church have denied the allegations and blamed local YouTube channels run by Hindutva men for spreading rumours regarding religious conversion and creating an atmosphere of anti-Christianity.
Videos showed a Hindu mob is seen entering the St Joseph School as they shout slogans like “Jai Shree Ram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” The students and the school staff present had a narrow escape.
Police registered a case against four identified VHP members and 50 unidentified members of Bajrang Dal under different sections of IPC including 147 (rioting) and 148 (rioting armed with a deadly weapon).
