Violent Hindutva Attack Disrupts Easter Service in Ahmedabad - Faith & Freedom News

An Easter prayer gathering in Ahmedabad’s Odhav area was violently interrupted on Sunday by members of two far‑right Hindu groups, according to eyewitness accounts and video footage shared on social media. Activists from the Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP)—both affiliated with the hardline Hindutva movement—stormed a private Christian prayer meeting, accusing attendees of engaging in illegal religious conversions.

Attack Details and Eyewitness Testimony

Video clips from the scene show masked activists wielding sticks and chanting slogans such as “Jai Shree Ram” (Glory to Lord Ram) and “Har Har Mahadev” (Hail Lord Shiva) as they forced their way into the venue. Emanuel Amaydas, a member of the Christian community present, filed a police complaint naming 10–15 unidentified attackers for forcibly entering the premises and disrupting the service.

Hindutva Groups and Their Ideology

The Bajrang Dal and VHP are known for their promotion of Hindu supremacist ideology and opposition to religious conversions among Christians and Muslims. Both groups maintain loose affiliations with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). They have a long history of targeting minority faith communities under the pretext of preventing “forced” conversions.

Reactions and Condemnations

Michael D. Butler, CEO of Beyond Publishing and Faith & Freedom News (FFN), strongly condemned the attack, stating:

“These rising incidents against Christians in India are deeply troubling. We demand swift justice for the victims and protection for all who gather peacefully to worship.”

Local human rights advocates are calling on Gujarat state authorities to investigate the incident, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure the right to freedom of religion and assembly for all communities.

Context: Rising Religious Intolerance

India has seen a marked increase in religiously motivated attacks in recent years, particularly during significant festivals like Easter and Christmas. According to open‑source data, over 100 incidents targeting Christian gatherings occurred nationwide in 2024 alone. Human rights organizations warn that such violence undermines India’s constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.

Protecting Religious Freedom

The Easter service attack underscores the urgent need for stronger legal safeguards and proactive policing to prevent extremist groups from violating minority communities’ rights. Michael D. Butler urged:

Swift Police Action: Immediate arrest and prosecution of identified attackers.
Legislative Reform: Clearer laws protecting freedom of worship and assembly.
Community Dialogue: Interfaith initiatives to build understanding and reduce tensions.

As Christians in Ahmedabad and across India mourn this blatant attack on their right to worship, international solidarity and local advocacy remain crucial to upholding religious liberty.