By Srinath Rao
Mumbai, Maharashtra: On Sunday, 19 July 2026, here in India’s financial capital, a mob of about 20 members of the Bajrang Dal—the youth wing of the Hindu extremist organisation, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad—picketed a hotel hosting a prayer service of the Assembly of Believers Church.
Chanting “Jai shree Ram (Victory to Lord Ram)”, the mob demanded that policemen at the scene accompany them inside to stop the alleged conversion of Hindus.
“The police are not letting us enter…We want legal proceedings against the pastor,” one Bajrang Dal member said. “He should be taken down to the police station, otherwise the Bajrang Dal will protest here.”
“We are giving the police a chance, but they are not ready to listen,” said a second Bajrang Dal member in the same video. “If that is the case, we will respond in our own way.”
The standoff held up traffic in the congested lanes of Marol in west Mumbai. When the police tried moving the demonstrators, some allegedly attacked a passing biker, an autorickshaw and a pastor recording the events on his phone.
As news of the demonstration filtered into the hotel, anxiety spread through those attending the service.
“These people pose a threat to ladies, children, the elderly and pregnant women,” said Shalom Massey, the church pastor. “I was worried for their safety.”
After 45 minutes, the demonstration was quelled by the local police and a battalion of the State Reserve Police Force. A first information report (FIR) was registered against five members of the Bajrang Dal and 20-25 unidentified individuals for forming an unlawful assembly, rioting and assault.
“The police were there until every (church) member left,” said Massey.
That day’s events are ones that Mumbai’s small independent churches have become increasingly familiar with.
This story was originally published in article-14.com. Read the full story here.