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New Delhi: A video shared multiple times on social media shows purported Bajrang Dal activists allegedly barging into a Christian prayer hall, stopping prayers and forcing people out of the hall.
The incident took place at Belur city in Karnataka’s Hassan district.
The Telegraph and Indian Express have reported that the rightwing Hindutva activists jostled with women at the prayer hall and were engaged in a verbal duel as well. The video too shows women in a verbal duel with the men in saffron scarves.
Pastor Suresh Paul, who is in charge of the prayer hall told Telegraph that around 30 Bajrang Dal activists stormed in at around 12.30pm on Sunday. The hall is run by the Life to the Nation’s Ministries, a Christian organisation, the paper reported.
Members of Hindutva group Bajrang Dal raided a Christian prayer group in Belur, after falsely accusing them of forcibly converting Hindus.
But the Christian women fought back against their cowardly attackers!
(h/t @KeypadGuerilla) pic.twitter.com/lLryUIVyRP
— CJ Werleman (@cjwerleman) November 30, 2021
The activists accused Paul and the those gathered there of “converting Hindus” and illegally occupying land. They were shouting “Jai Shri Ram,” Paul said, adding that it was evident from their conduct that the group had been keen to cause trouble.
Bajrang Dal state coordinator Raghu Sakleshpura told Telegraph that the group was “alerted” by a man, “when he heard Hindu gods being belittled at the church.”
No complaints have been filed by either side, Belur police told Indian Express.
Karnataka is keen to bring an Anti-Conversion Bill, dubbed the ‘love jihad’ law, in the next session starting on December 13. Bengaluru Archbishop Reverend Peter had written to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, opposing it.
In October, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had barged into an “interfaith” prayer hall in Hubli.