A Hindu extremist sexually assaulted a pastor’s wife during a worship service at a house church in July.
Pratibha Stephen was worshipping at the house church in Tamil Nadu state, India when a man suddenly burst through the back door, shouting angrily.
The intruder interrupted an elderly man’s singing and cymbal-playing by twisting his hands behind his back causing him to howl in pain. Pratibha went over to stop the harassment.
No Christian prayer meetings
The intruder then pushed her away, shouting: ‘How many times must you be told that there should not be any Christian prayer meetings in the area?’
The Hindu extremist, identified as Ajith Kumar, became uncontrollably angry and started beating her, Pratibha said.
He forcibly pulled her sari off, kicked her and molested her as others tried to push Kumar off.
Further beatings
When Pratibha’s husband returned home after preaching away, five men started beating them both. Her brother laid himself over Pratibha to protect her from their blows. They also slapped her elderly father-in-law.
Church leaders in Tamil Nadu rushed to the hospital where they were later taken. The Revd Raja Mani said hospital staff declined to give the couple proper medical treatment.
