Hyderabad: Hindutva activists have attacked a Pastor and a Christian media team representing The Book of Hope at Jangaon in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh. The attackers have also destroyed the media kit, including the film and the screen.
A team from The Book of Hope was screening a film on Jesus under the supervision of Pastor Devadanam of Telugu Baptist Church at Jangaon on 27 July 2008. Around 8 pm, more than 30 members belonging to Bharatiya Janata Party, Viswa Hindu Parishad and Bajarang Dal arrived at the venue and ransacked the place. They also beat up the Pastor and the team members and then destroyed the screen, the film and the furniture.
Thereafter the attackers sat in dharna in front of the Pastors’ residence, protesting against conversion activities in the area. They damaged the gate and doors of the house. The Pastor’s plea to spare them fell on deaf ears. They then went back to the spot where the film was screened and destroyed all the books and pamphlets and set fire to them. Upon this, the Pastor rang up the police, informing them about the continued attack by the Hindutva men. Just before the police arrived, they escaped into the dark.
On 28 July 2008, a group of Christian leaders took out a procession to the office of the District Superintendent of Police, wearing black badges. In the meantime the Circle Inspector of Jangaon approached them, assuring that similar incidents would not happen again.
By evening, the police official got all the attackers together and brought about a compromise between them. The Christian leaders thereafter withdrew the police complaint.
Source: AICC
