Village ostracizes Christian family in Karnataka
Bellary, Oct. 18, 2018: A predominantly Hindu village in Karnataka has recently decided to boycott a Christian family for not giving up their faith, reports the Persecution Relief.
Pasor Jyothi Kumar, who became a Christian 20 years ago, ministers in a small church named “Jeeva Dhara Prarthana Mandir” (Flow of life prayer temple) at Hadagalli village in Dasarahalli Thanda taluk of Bellary district. Around 100 people gather every Sunday for prayer there.
On October 10, the village head and the elders called a meeting with the pastor and other Christians.
The village elders asked the Christians to stop following Jesus Christ and their worship service or face further action.
When the pastor declined to give up his faith or stop worshiping Jesus Christ, the village collectively decided to boycott his family and other Christians.
They were barred from attending any village activity such as funeral services. They cannot buy or sell anything in the village.
The elders forbade the villagers from attending any function or celebration of the Christians.
The Christians reported the matter to the police, who refused to intervene. “The role of the police reveals an inherent bias against the minorities,” Persecution Relief alleges.
Pastor Kumar and a few Christians then met Raghavendra, the Tehsildar of the taluk, who has promised to visit the village and speak to the village headman.
Most of those attending the Sunday services belong to the nomadic tribe of Lambani that comes under the Scheduled Caste category. Kumar said although these families have not become Christians they show great interest in Christ and his teachings.
“In fact, they have been worshiping Christ for the past 22 years in the village,” he told Prosecution Relief, an interdenominational initiative that provides comprehensive support to prosecuted Christians in India.
He also noted that peoples of all faiths had earlier lived peacefully in the village. “It is only the last two months has the hostility toward Christians begun,” Kumar noted.
It all started after some young people in the village created a WhatsApp group that started maligning Jesus Christ and harassing and intimidating Kumar’s family.
These incidents created tension in the village against Christian. “Opinions, rumors, falsehood and perceived wrong doings of the Christians are being actively propagated,” Kumar lamented.
Shibu Thomas, founder director of Persecution Relief, bemoans the blatant violation of Christians’ fundamental rights to choose and practice their own faith, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
In spite of this atmosphere of terror and animosity, the Christians still repose complete faith in Jesus Christ, Kumar added.