Bajrang Dal activists allegedly barged into a Christian prayer hall in Belur city in Karnataka on Sunday, accused the group of proselytism and jostled with the faithful before the women in the congregation forced them to leave.

Pastor Suresh Paul, who heads the prayer hall run by the Life to the Nation’s Ministries, a Christian organisation said that about 30 Bajrang Dal activists had stormed in around 12.30pm on Sunday.

“They rushed into the prayer hall, shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’, and accused us of converting Hindus and illegally occupying the land. We started this prayer hall five years ago and had never before faced such issues,” Paul said.

“It was evident they had come to create trouble: they refused to even listen to us. Our believers then confronted them, forcing them to move out of the prayer hall. I don’t know what would have happened if our believers, especially the women, didn’t stand up to them.”

A video clip circulating on social media on Monday shows men with saffron scarves round their neck being confronted by women.

Police later drove the intruders away. No case has been registered since neither the Bajrang Dal nor the Christian group has lodged a complaint.