India: Easter prayer service disrupted by Hindutva mob in Ahmedabad church

A peaceful Easter prayer service at a church in Ahmedabad, India, was violently disrupted on Sunday when members of Hindutva groups stormed the premises and shouted Hindu slogans.

The incident occurred in the Odhav area of Ahmedabad and was captured on video, which went viral on social media.

According to reports, worshippers were seated inside the church when Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) members entered, chanting loudly and accusing the congregation of forced religious conversions.

The intruders were seen carrying large sticks and knives.

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The mob interrogated Christian worshippers and demanded that any Hindus present inside the church separate themselves from the rest.

Some members of the group also insisted that attendees present their Aadhaar identification cards.

Despite the video evidence circulating widely online, no action has reportedly been taken by local authorities. No First Information Report (FIR) has been registered so far, according to local media.

Last year, a report by the United Christian Forum highlighted a surge in hate incidents targeting India’s Christian community.

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In 2024, Human Rights Watch condemned the use of hate speech against minorities during India’s general election campaign, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Prime Minister Modi likes to boast of India’s democratic traditions, but it’s become increasingly hard for him to hide his government’s deepening crackdown on minorities and critics,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch.