Peaceful Protesters Against Church Attacks Arrested in Delhi

Christians came out in large number in New Delhi protesting against a series of church attacks in the city in the past two months, on Thursday, February 5, 2015. Edwin Fernandes

Christians who were peacefully protesting against repeated church attacks in Delhi, demanding better security, an SIT probe and such attacks to be stopped immediately were arrested Thursday while protesting.

The protesters were demanding a special investigation team (SIT) probe into what they claimed was "targeted attacks" on churches; and blamed the Prime Minister for his "silence on the church attacks".

There had been five attacks on five different churches across the national capital Delhi since December. The latest attack was on Monday.

More than 2,000 Christians from all denominations came out protesting in front of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gole Dak Khana and were starting to march towards Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence when the police started pushing the protesters totalling over 200 of them which included nuns, women and priests into the bus and were taken to the Parliament street police station.

"We have detained the protesters and they have been taken to Parliament Street police station. They did not have permission to protest outside the church and we cannot allow them to protest on public roads," Joint Commissioner of Police Mukesh Meena said.

Christian leaders said the concerned police department was informed about the peaceful protest and arresting the peaceful protesters was unwarranted.

Christians who staged a peaceful protest against five church attacks in the past two months were arrested by the police on Thursday, February 5, 2015. Edwin Fernandes

"The Prime Minister claims to be a very strong PM. What happens when it comes to ground realities? When you are not able to protect a small minuscule community, how are you going to protect the whole of India? This is happening right in Delhi," Savari Muthu Sankar, spokesperson for the Delhi archdiocese, told PTI.

The fifth attack on the church came few days before Delhi assembly election which is scheduled the day after tomorrow.

Dr. John Dayal, former president of the All India Catholic Union, told IANS, "Somebody is trying to target our (Christian) community. Since this is election time, it has another dimension."

"We see a clear pattern in these attacks," he said.

In the afternoon, Dr. Dayal, advocate Jenis Francis, and others comprising of six-member delegation of Christian leaders met Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who assured them that he will look into all their demands and any discrimination on the basis of religion, caste or colour would not be tolerated.

Christians came out in large number in New Delhi protesting against a series of church attacks in the city in the past two months, on Thursday, February 5, 2015. Edwin Fernandes

The delegation has demanded mainly three things. The first demand is adding Indian Penal Code Section 153 A (promoting enmity on grounds of religion), Section 295 and Section 295A (defiling a place of worship) to the FIR relating to the recent vandalization of a church in Vasant Kunj, for which the Home minister has directed the police commissioner B S Bassi to insert the necessary provisions.

The second demand is a court-monitored probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into the attacks on churches and Christian institutions. The minister said an impartial inquiry will be ordered into the recent incidents.

On the third demand, the Minister also assured the delegation that the security at the religious places would be stepped up.

Francis said incidents of alleged attacks on churches have increased in the last six months and demanded setting up of a special investigating team for probing the five incidents of alleged violence against churches. He said the probe should be monitored by the Delhi High Court.