By Obianuju Mbah
A Christian pastor in Maharashtra, India, was assaulted in early July after a mob of Hindu nationalist extremists stormed a church in Solapur, accusing him of “distributing blood” during a communion service.
The incident, which took place on 6 July, was captured on video by members of the mob and has since spread widely across social media.
The group, chanting Hindu slogans – “Jai Shri Ram”, which means “Hail Lord Ram” – confronted the pastor over the communion.
Despite his explanation that the drink being shared was grape juice, not alcohol or blood, the assailants insisted on seeing official permission to serve it before confiscating the rest and physically attacking him, Open Doors reports.
Following the assault, further YouTube videos and posts appeared online accusing the pastor of forcing 20 to 25 women to drink “addictive” red wine in order to intoxicate and violate them.
The radicals also alleged that he offered inducements for religious conversions.
Local Christians say the claims are false and part of a wider campaign to discredit churches in the region.
A local partner of Christian advocacy group Open Doors stated: “Hindu extremists distort and fabricate claims to fit their agenda and incite fear and hostility against Christians.
This story was originally published in christiantoday.com. Read the full story here.