Hindutva Mob attacks Christian prayer meet in Dehradun, assaults attendees and vandalizes property
Dehradun: A group of Hindutva activists allegedly stormed into a home where a Christian prayer meeting was taking place, assaulting attendees and vandalizing property in Dehradun. The attack occurred during a Sunday morning prayer session at the residence of Rajesh Bhoomi, a pastor, on July 14.
According to reports, the attackers, identified as Devendra Dobhal and others associated with Hindutva outfits, forcibly entered the house, accused the attendees of engaging in forced conversions, and proceeded to vandalize the prayer room and bedroom. They also allegedly made derogatory remarks against the Christian faith.
The victims, including women and children present at the gathering, were reportedly assaulted, with at least seven individuals sustaining injuries. The incident has left the family and witnesses traumatized, including young children who were also subjected to threats and violence.
“They misbehaved with the children too. They slapped their heads and asked them why do you participate in this prayer? They told them to never take part in Sunday prayers in future,” Rajesh Bhoomi, a pastor who owns an eatery in Haridwar said.
An FIR has been lodged against 11 accused at Nehru Colony police station under various sections including voluntarily causing hurt, rioting, destruction of property, trespass, and deliberate outrage of religious feelings. Despite the severity of the incident, no arrests have been made thus far.
Satbir Singh, investigating officer at the Nehru Colony police station, told Newslaundry, “No religious conversion was taking place at the house. People from Hindutva outfits have misbehaved with the family members and vandalised their house.”
A video of the incident reviewed by Newslaundry showed a group of men vandalising a cross podium and musical equipment in a room, and engaging in assault.
The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about religious intolerance and the safety of minority communities in the region. The police have assured that an investigation is underway and a chargesheet will be filed soon.
Netizens have questioned the media for not reporting this incident.
“One of the accused who led the mob who attacked people including women during Christian prayer meet is Devendra Dobhal, He claims to be a former army personnel & RSS member. Is this the reason why many National News Channels including @smitaprakash aren't reporting on this?,” Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair questioned.
Uttarakhand: Hindutva mob attacks Christian prayer meet in Dehradun. A group of Hindutva 'activists' barged into the house and assaulted people including women present inside, Forcefully entered inside the house and vandalised a Christian cross, prayer room and bedroom, made… pic.twitter.com/BLD7vbXp2Y
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) July 16, 2024
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NEET student hangs self in Rajasthan's Sikar
Jaipur (PTI): A student preparing for the NEET examination allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a rented room in Rajasthan's Sikar on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his sister's scarf while one sister was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.
He had appeared in the NEET UG exam 2026, which was cancelled due to paper leak, they said.
Udyog Nagar SHO Rajesh Kumar said that the deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu's Gudha Gaudji area.
He had been living in a rented room in Sikar's Jaldhari Nagar area with his two sisters while preparing for NEET over the last three years.
His elder sister later found him hanging and informed the landlord and police after bringing him down, officials said.
The SHO said the body was kept at SK Hospital mortuary, and a postmortem had not been conducted.
The student's father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told police that Pradeep's NEET examination had gone well and the family was expecting him to score around 650 marks.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked it to anxiety among students after reports of irregularities and paper leaks in NEET 2026.
Pilot said repeated paper leak incidents and cancellation of examinations were affecting students' mental health and demanded a time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
