The US-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned of three attacks earlier this month on Christians in Kerala, generally considered a safe-haven for Christians because of the large Christian minority there.

These attacks, which all took place within a week, are especially alarming because they mark the first time a church has been shut down by the local government in Kerala. In addition, Hindu extremists vandalised a Christian prayer centre and invaded a Pentecostal church, physically assaulting several of the attendees.

That this sort of violence would occur in the normally peaceful Kerala reveals the extent to which the xenophobic "Hindutva" ideology has infiltrated India, ICC said. The watchdog said "Hindutva" would not welcome differences but would seek to make India a country with Hinduism as the only religion. According to the ICC, this development is coupling with a growing radicalisation of India's Muslims.

New Testament Pentecost Church was established 35 years ago. Eleven years ago, the church successfully registered with the government, and has grown to include 11 branches and various ministries, and does not operate using foreign assistance.

However, 12 years ago a Muslim family living nearby started making life difficult for the church. According to ICC, the father of this family tried many different ways to get rid of the church, first by attempting to buy it from the pastor. When that did not work, he and his son started to disturb their worship by shouting loudly over their singing. But the real trial came when four months ago the neighbour and other Muslims joined together and sued the church. The pastor, Sam George, was summoned to the police station four times. Twice the police were favourable to him, but the last two times the police became hostile, ICC said.