Uttar Pradesh, Christian's head shaved and publically humiliated over alleged forced conversions
The man was taken forcefully by a mob of 200 Hindu extremists. He is accused of having lured three men under the pretext of attending a meditation session. Police opened three cases, one against the Christian and two against extremists. Christian leader. "The accusations do not hold up. No sensible person would ever do what they say. Christians always respect the laws ".
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Awdhesh Savita, a Christian of Uttar Pradesh, was forcibly taken from his home by 200 enraged Hindu extremists, who accused him of trying to convert three people to Christianity. The man was shaved, festooned with garlands of shoes and carried through the streets of his village riding a donkey.
Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), has sent an appeal to the Indian National Commission for Human Rights, demanding justice. He tells AsiaNews: "The GCIC harshly condemns the public humiliation of this young man and extremist forces trying to foment and incite violence and hatred against the Christian minority."
The incident happened on January 29 last, but it was only made public in these days. Awdhesh was humiliated in public by members of the local branch of the Bajrang Dal, a militant youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP, Hindu ultranationalists). The crowd surrounded his home in Randar (in Jalaun district), forced him to leave it, shaved his head, mustache and eyebrows and then led him to the organization’s headquarters.
When police arrived at the scene, the extremists refused to hand over the man. Only after the arrival of reinforcements, Awdhesh was transferred to the police station of Orai (district capital).
The president of the GCIC reported that the Christian is accused of trying to convert devout Hindus. The members of the militant group reported to police that he lured them with the pretext of attending a satsang [a Hindu gathering in which people meditate together, usually in the presence of a guru - ed].
One of the three Hindu Sangam Jatav, said Awdhesh also forced them to eat cow meat against their will, and then threw images of Hindu gods on the floor and forced to step on them.
Police are investigating the act, and trying to reconstruct the episode. Inspector General, Sharad Sachan, reported that three complaints have been filed, two of which are borne by the members of the Bajrang Dal.
In the GCIC letter to the Commission for Human Rights, Sajan K George said: "The alleged forced conversion charges are not convincing. No Christian with common sense would have done what they say. No one, though fanatical, would be so stupid, unless mentally ill. "
"Your judges – he says in conclusion - belong to a constitutional body in charge of ensuring the protection of the Indian people. The GCIC asks you to take the necessary measures to safeguard the interests of the innocent and law-abiding Christian community. "
.png)
