In the fifth such incident since November, a church was vandalised by some unidentified men on Monday in South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area, sparking outrage among the Christian community which alleged that it is part of a “hate campaign”. The incident at St Alphonsa’s church came just five days ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections on Saturday.
Taking serious umbrage, the Home Ministry has sought a report from Delhi Police on the vandalisation of a church in the national Capital, which has led to outrage among the Christian community. In a communication, the Ministry asked Delhi Police to send a report as early as possible informing it what steps are being taken to ensure safety of religious places across the city. Justice Cyriac Joseph, a member of NHRC, also visited the church site to take stock of the situation.
Police said the unidentified men entered the church premises at around 1 am by breaking open its main gate and damaged a number of hallowed supplies. A case of theft has been registered, police said. “We are investigating the incident and scanning the CCTV footage to identify the accused,” said a senior police official. The church’s priest Father Vincent Salvatore alleged that it was a “clear case of desecration” of the church.
“It has been happening for the last many months. It happened in St Sebastian’s church in Dilshad Garden, then in Vikaspuri and in Jasola,” he said. Delhi Police has also been asked to inform how many arrests have been made in attacks on religious places in the last six months, sources informed. Strongly condemning the incident, Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto said the “attack” reflected Government’s failure to give protection to minorities and their religious structures.
“Another act of vandalism and targeted attack on our churches in Delhi is nothing but a reflection of hate campaign and false propaganda by groups whose sole aim is to break the religious harmony and social peace of this great nation. The attack within a week after celebration of Republic Day reflects a lot on the Government and its failure to give protection to minorities and their religious structures,” Couto said.
He alleged that the “growing” number of attacks on churches in different parts of the country was aimed at creating a fear psychosis among the community. This is the fifth such incident in which a city church has been targeted since November last year. last month, a church was vandalised in West Delhi’s Vikaspuri area. In December, the St Sebastian’s church in Dilshad Garden was partly gutted and the Christian community had alleged foul play in the incident.