Gideons Bible stand vandalized at world book fair
"The men accused us of converting people by forcing them to take the books. We told them that we were just handing out free books to passers-by. There are others who give free texts from other religions . But they didn't listen."
In India, members of the international organization of the Gideons set up a stand of free Bibles at the World Book Fair currently taking place in New Delhi. But, Wednesday afternoon, their stand was vandalized by a group of demonstrators who chanted "Jai Shree Ram" [I salute the god Ram, editor's note]. The latter also recited the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu devotional hymn to the glory of Hanuman.
📌 At the #WorldBookFair2023 Gideons International Stall distributing Free Bible attacked today. Slogans of "Jai Shree Ram" and "Bharat Mata ki jai were raised."
— Sumedhapal (@Sumedhapal4) March 1, 2023
👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/71HiAea3ZV
On the stand, the posters announcing the distribution of free Bibles were torn down, several copies of the book offered by the Gideons, New Testament: Psalms and Proverbs, were seized.
It was the members of the security personnel and the police who put an end to the demonstration.
#WorldBookFair2023 Hindutva workers refused to budget and sat on the floor sloganeering that Free Bible should not be distributed. Security and Police staff intervened to remove them from the premises. pic.twitter.com/tGrGxjxo75
— Sumedhapal (@Sumedhapal4) March 1, 2023
According to NewsLaundry, the attackers asked the volunteers manning the stand to "stop handing out free copies of the Bible" and to "stop converting people to Christianity". One of the volunteers testified to the Indian Express.
"The men accused us of converting people by forcing them to take the books. We told them that we were just handing out free books to passers-by. There are others who give free texts from other religions . But they didn't listen."
"We have been attending the New Delhi Book Fair for 10 years and there have been no such problems," he told UCA News David Philip, member of The Gideons International in India, "it was shocking and we still feel a sense of fear in our minds, but pray that the event goes peacefully".
Michael William, president of the United Christian Forum, laments a "brazen anti-Christian narrative". "Now even distributing a book is considered a religious conversion. I'm glad the authorities resolved the issue quickly."
According to the police, the Gideons do not wish to file a complaint.
The 31st edition of the world book fair takes place from February 25 to March 5 in New Delhi. It welcomes more than 1 publishers and exhibitors from 000 countries.
MC
