Christian body fume over vandalism of cemetery in Gujarat

The All India Christian Council (AICC) has voiced disgust and shock over vandalism of a British-era Christian cemetery in Gujarat.

Vandals allegedly drove a bulldozer inside a cemetery in Sabarmati, Ahmedabad which was used by several mainline denominations.

The burial ground was offered by the Railways in 1947 and was used by churches belonging to the Methodist, CNI, Catholic and Pentecostal groups.

Following the incident on Jan. 26, the All India Christian Council (AICC) has filed two complaints at the Sabarmati police station.

The Council blamed 'anti-social elements' of bulldozing and ransacking the burial ground and hurting Christian religious sentiments.

The Council has also raised suspicion over the possible role of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in the incident.

"Christians had been taking care of the plot for decades and the final rites and prayer services were being conducted there," said Samson Christian, an AICC representative in the state.

"On Jan. 26, at around 7 pm, some men came here with a bulldozer and several trucks. They flattened the graves under the pretext of cleaning the area," said Samson.

A representative of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has however clarified that it does not clean up religious places, burial grounds or private plots.

"We have filed a complaint and taken photographs of the spot. We are taking down statements of locals," said SD Patel, inspector of Sabarmati police station.

The assurance has brought no respite to Christians who are fuming over the fact that despite many days after the incident, none of the culprits have been identified or arrested.

To protest against the police inaction, the Council is organizing a dharna in front of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Central Office at Danapith, Ahmedabad on Wednesday, Feb. 1.