Hindu extremists tied a pastor to a post Feb. 25 and beat him in front of a large crowd, some of whom joined the attack, according to Morning Star News.
Kelom Kalyan Tete, a 35-year-old pastor, was tied to an iron post at a busy crossroads in New Delhi and beaten. More than 150 individuals surrounded, taunted and struck him. Children clad in school uniforms kicked his legs, he told Morning Star News.
That attack was a continuation of an earlier beating Tete received that day. That morning, he had been intercepted about four miles away, bound and beaten in front of about 30 people. The assailants accused him of forcible conversion. Then, he was taken to the crossroads and tied to the post for another beating, he said. At some point during the second beating, the ropes binding his hands untied and he escaped.
‘Hostile’ territory
Since taking power in 2014, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has displayed a hostile tone toward non-Hindus, which has emboldened Hindu extremists, Morning Star News reported.
India is No. 10 on Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
