Angry mob attacks Christian carolers in India

A group of 20 carol singers in India was attacked by an angry mob who accused them of converting people to Christianity.

Father Stephen Rawat, the parish priest of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Banswara Rajasthan, said that he takes his parishioners around the city every year to sing Christmas carols to Catholic homes.

The group, which included women and children, started caroling on Dec. 11. On Dec. 14, they were attacked by a mob armed with batons and sticks as they were walking towards their parked vehicle.

"While the children ran helter skelter, the women and men were beaten on their hands, legs and backs. The nuns were still in the house, so they escaped the beating. They accused the Christians of converting people and shouted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' (Victory to Mother India)," Rawat told Crux.

Rawat immediately filed a complaint against the attackers. He and seven others went to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital Banswara to receive medical treatment for their injuries.

Three members of the group were discharged after treatment, but Rawat and four others remained in the hospital.

The priest said that he has no enemies, and he believes that he was attacked because of his Christian faith.

He pointed out that the incident occurred at the street where the hostel of the Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was located. The group is believed to be the parent organization of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party of India.

Rawat believes that the group might be behind the attack since the site would be the training ground for young militant Hindus.

The attack against Rawat's group was not the only incident that took place against carolers that week.

On Dec. 15, A group of 25 suspected Hindu radicals attacked Christians who were singing Christmas carols inside a private home in Sarangi village, Madhya Pradesh State. According to International Christian Concern (ICC), the mob broke into the house and dragged the Christians outside and started beating them.

The radicals accused the Christians of engaging in forced conversions. Four pastors were turned over to the police after the assault.

William Stark, the regional manager of ICC, said: "These vicious attacks on Christians celebrating the Christmas holiday are totally unacceptable. Christians should not fear attacks while celebrating Christmas. It is their right to freely celebrate the religious holidays they hold dear according to India's constitutional protections."