Delhi, 22 Dec '09: Christians were again at the receiving end of communal ire of misguided youths when some pastors on their way to attend a Christmas meeting were stopped near the venue and beaten mercilessly on 22nd December at Najafgarh on the outskirts of New Delhi.

A Christmas get-together was organized on 22nd December at 4 pm by Pr. Reghunathan who runs a Prayer House under Full Gospel Church of God at Surya Kunj, Najafgarh. The aim of this “Christmas Milan” was to share the joy of Christmas with all well-wishers and to create awareness about the truth behind Christmas. The SHO, Najafgarh Police Station was duly informed of the program.

Two friends of Reghu – one serving at Lajwanti Garden in New Delhi and the other ministering at Tagore Garden – were intercepted when they were just hundred metres or so from the venue by anti-social elements. A group of about ten to fifteen well-built youngsters accused them of conversions and started beating them mercilessly. They kicked and slapped the pastors and hit with them with their fists. The pastors were pushed down on the road and stomped upon. The impact of one of the hard blows left one of the pastors unconscious for a while! Another pastor who intervened was also hit. The pastors received lot of hidden injuries on their heads and faces as they bore the brunt of the inhumanity meted out on them. Even after four days of the incident, one of the pastors was not able to walk properly!

After venting their hatred for Christianity the vandals threatened that they will deal with the local pastor later on. Proud of their deplorable inhumanity, they left the place spewing venom against the Christian faith. It was plainly evident that they were working according to a very well organized plan. It is not known which outfit they belonged to or who their mastermind was. They only told that they had got the handbills of the event and that they were from Najafgarh.

Later on it came to light that their plans were to disturb the whole meeting and pull down the whole pandal (covered tent). Four men among them first came to the venue and enquired about the event and left. They were joined by a group of about ten to fifteen men and waited on the main road only to pounce upon the two pastors who were oblivious to the danger around them.

All the pastors who were hit declined from registering any police complaint and were resolute that they didn’t want any police action against the perpetrators of this violence. The Najafgarh Police Station was informed of the sad development.

Inside the fully covered pandal the meeting proceeded unhindered by God’s grace. More than 250 people attended this event wherein Shifa Worship Team of Shifalaya Church, New Delhi presented songs, dances and skits while Pastor Shibu Mathai passionately gave the Christmas message. Many of the songs and dances were aimed at instilling patriotism among the listeners and encouraging them to work for the uplift of the nation.