Christians Targeted in Hindu Violence

Christian congregations in western India are canceling New Year prayer services, fearful of provoking more violence from extremist Hindus targeting churches. The violence has put the governing Bharatiya Janata Party in the position of having to protect the Christian minority from groups affiliated with the Hindu nationalist party. Since last week, mobs have attacked 18 churches, prayer halls or Christian schools in Gujarat state. The World Hindu Council, a group blamed for many of the attacks, accuses missionaries of converting poor Hindus and others with promises of jobs or financial gain.