Christians feel insecure, demand action

NEW DELHI: Since St Sebastian's Church was attacked on December 1 last year, a Christian institution has, on an average, been attacked every 11 days in Delhi. Community leaders say the latest attack on a Christian school on Friday was particularly frightening because it has happened after assembly elections. Since the rumour that the attacks were meant to polarize voters for the upcoming elections seems to have been false, some say they're looking at these incidents as part of a larger pattern of aggression that may have just begun to unfold.

Community members also feel that the protection offered by police may begin to wane with the elections over. "We had assumed the attacks were because of the elections. The home minister had assured us safety and called the police commissioner. The police remained at our institutions till polling day," says Fr. Savarimuthu Sanker, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Delhi. He says they don't expect police to deploy their officers around their institutions 24X7, "but we do expect a lot from them in the form of increased vigilance and regular patrolling to give a sense of security to the parishioners." Fr Sanker has repeatedly claimed that the attacks against churches, all of which have occurred after midnight and before daybreak, are part of an obvious pattern.

John Dayal, a member of National Integration Council and a human rights activist, says the issue of attacks in Delhi can't be solved by fortifying churches. "We don't want the churches to remain barricaded or covered with barbed wires, nor should any minority have to pray behind armed security. We don't want to remain terrorized. We are asking the Prime Minister, who regularly speaks to public through his chat shows, to assert that all religions and minorities have equal rights and are equally free in this country."

Young Christians are also talking about insecurity and steps to battle it. "News about attacks against Christian institutions is extremely disturbing. Whenever we're together, this is all we discuss and talk about. Delhi is our home now. If these attacks continue, where will we go," asks J Mavio, a Naga Christian student in Delhi.

Attacks against Christian institutions have also instilled fear and anxiety in other religious minorities in the capital. According to Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid, there's a sense of insecurity also because of the 'Ghar Wapsi' programme. "We have strongly condemned the attacks on churches that have increased recently. Police needs to act against the culprits immediately and we expect stringent punishment to those found guilty. Police should secure all religious institutions immediately lest these attacks increase in intensity or frequency."

Minority rights activists and members of the clergy had held a meeting with the home minister on February 5 and organized a huge demonstration to protest against the continued attacks against Christian institutions. Minority leaders said they haven't taken a call on their next move but no demonstrations were planned on Saturday at least.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=St Sebastian's Church,Mufti Mukarram Ahmed,Delhi.,Christian institution

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Christians feel insecure, demand action

Dengan url

http://sehatputihgigiku.blogspot.com/2015/02/christians-feel-insecure-demand-action.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Christians feel insecure, demand action

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Christians feel insecure, demand action

sebagai sumbernya