(International Christian Concern) – According to Morning Star News, a Christian in India’s Tamil Nadu state was brutally beaten with iron rods by Hindu neighbors after being visited by a church elder. As a result of the attack, the Christian spent 17 days in the hospital and now lives in hiding, fearing another attack.
On August 1, Santosh Kumar was visited by Abel Edward Samuel, a church elder, in Kamaraj Nagar, located in the Karur district. After Samuel left his home, Kumar attempted to go to the market, however, Kumar was intercepted by one of his Hindu neighbors.
“He started shouting at me, ‘Are you a Christian? Why are Christians visiting you?’” Kumar told Morning Star News.
According to Kumar, his neighbor was drunk, so he tried to get away. The neighbor continued to harass Kumar, claiming India is a Hindu country.
“He threatened that he would murder me if I did not vacate my rented house immediately,” Kumar told Morning Star News.
While Kumar was still trying to get away from his neighbor, Morning Star News reports that two other men arrived on motorcycles and dragged Kumar into the bushes away from the road. There, the men beat Kumar with iron rods for about a half an hour before Kumar fell unconscious.
Kumar was later taken to Karur Government Medical College Hospital where he was treated for several severe injuries to his head, stomach, and back.
“My backbone still hurts,” Kumar told Morning Star News. “The doctors told me that the bony ridge on my left eyebrow has been damaged. I was hospitalized for 17 days.”
According to Samuel, he believes he was identified as a Christian by a neighbor he asked for directions as he was searching for Kumar’s house. Samuel told Morning Star News that this neighbor noticed a badge he was wearing that read, “Jesus loves me.”
This story first appeared on persecution.org