Christian communities from different parts of State took out a protest march in Ranchi protesting against the attacks on Church and Christian society in neighboring state Chhattisgarh. Members of Christian community in large number participated in the 4 km long march. The march was organsied by Jharkhand Christian Youth Association and it was participated by Archbishop Philex Toppo, Archbishop Assistant Theodore Maskarahanes, former Education Minister Bandhu Tirkey, Mandar MLA Neha Shilpi Tirkey, Bishop Seemant Tirkey, Jyoti Singh Matharu from the Sikh community, Mahua Manjhi, Nistar Minj, Sujit Tigga, Kuldeep Tirkey, Vikas Tirkey, Albin Lakda, JCY President Anil Lakda among several other prominent leaders and representatives attended the march.
The march started from GEL Church premises and passed through Main Road, Court, Radium Road finally culminating at Gandhi Vatika of Morhabadi Maidan. At Morhabadi ground a meeting was later organized which was addressed by members of Christian community.
Archbishop Bishop Felix Toppo addressing the gathering said, “We are all children of one God. Everyone is given different names, and they worship him calling him different names. We are brothers to each other. We have a family. If each other’s freedom is violated, the family breaks up. There are some such forces in our country, that are harming our brotherhood, and scraping our constitution. The constitution gives us freedom. It gives justice to all of us.” JMM leader and MP Mahua Maji later said that questioned the actions of the mobs. Claiming that the attacks in Chhattisgarh were not fair, she said, “The work that Christian missionaries have done and are doing in the field of education and service cannot be compared to anything. Christian missionaries go to remote areas and open schools, educate children in areas that even governments cannot reach. This is why hatred towards such people and attack on them is wrong. Wherever there is a non-BJP government, such efforts are being made continuously.” She further denied to comment over the Chhattisgarh government, and said that CM Hemant Soren respects all religions. She further asserted that politics of hate will not work in Jharkhand. She further claimed that organisations associated with BJP and RSS are constantly working to disturb social harmony, but this will not be allowed in Jharkhand.
Echoing the views of Archbishop and JMM MP, former minister Bandhu Tirkey said, “There are destructive forces in the country that are trying to break the unity in the country. We are worshipers of non-violence. We share the teachings of love. The country will not run with hatred. To make Jharkhand state an advanced state, all the communities will have to become responsible, they will have to move forward by giving good education.” Later while warning the people, he said that such forces should not consider the communities and voters weak.
Ca[ption: Christian protest -2: People belonging to Christian community participate in a mass protest procession against the recent alleged attack on churches in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, at Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi on Sunday. Pix by Vinay Murmu