25 Jun. 24: In a distressing incident on June 12th, Christian families in Bade Paroda village, under the jurisdiction of Badanji Police station, were reportedly targeted by a Hindutva mob, resulting in severe injuries and forced conversions. According to sources, the victims were given a chilling ultimatum to renounce their religion within 10 days.
The attack left several individuals hospitalized, with one victim sustaining a broken leg, indicating the brutal nature of the assault. The village has been a hotspot for religious tensions since 2023, with Christian minorities repeatedly subjected to violence and intimidation.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a lawyer representing the affected families highlighted that these attacks were allegedly aided by local authorities, compelling families to flee their homes out of fear for their lives. The families were reportedly coerced into signing statements, overseen by local officials and the village sarpanch, committing to convert to Hinduism within the stipulated time frame if they wished to return safely.
The United Christian Forum (UCF) has brought attention to the escalating violence against Christians in the region, noting a concerning trend of hate crimes. Recent data from the UCF shows that there have been at least 23 recorded incidents of violence against Christians in the past week alone, with approximately 200 such incidents reported in the first quarter of 2024.
In addition to physical assaults, the attackers also vandalized properties, demolishing field walls and destroying crops, leading to significant financial losses running into lakhs of rupees. The assailants allegedly issued death threats, adding further terror to the already traumatized families.
The situation in Bade Paroda village underscores growing concerns over religious intolerance and violence targeting minorities in India. Authorities are yet to provide an official statement on the incident as investigations continue into the perpetrators of these heinous acts.
