In Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district, a Christian family of seven was allegedly threatened with expulsion, attacked by a mob, and forced to flee after refusing to convert to Hinduism through a “Ghar Wapsi” ceremony, according to International Christian Concern (ICC).
On 16 June, village leaders reportedly confronted Vikram, a Christian father of five, and demanded that the family renounce their faith.
When Vikram refused, the leaders convened a public meeting where it was declared that the family would be expelled.
Soon after, a mob allegedly stormed the family’s home and threw their food and belongings into the street, prompting the family to initially take refuge in a nearby forest a few miles from their village.
Some villagers also allegedly abused the couple’s three daughters during the attack. This is said to be the fifth such attempt to pressure the family into a forced conversion through a “Ghar Wapsi” ceremony.
Police visited the village following Vikram’s complaint, but the organisation alleged that they took no further action after villagers refused to allow the family to return unless they renounced Christianity.
Christian leaders allege that attacks like this have become increasingly common across Chhattisgarh amid rising Hindu nationalist influence.
Although the state has anti-conversion laws meant to prevent coercion, activists say they are often used to target minority communities.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.