By Cyprian Ekka

Ranchi, May 13, 2019: A Christian body in Jharkhand on May 13 expressed grave concern over what it says is the misuse of media to systematically spread false and sensational allegations against their community in the eastern Indian state.

“The media are systematically implicating Christian institutions in order to incite the public,” says a press release from the All Christians Media Cell that met in the Jharkhand capital of Ranchi earlier in the day to address repeated attacks on the Christian institutions.

The cell has pleaded with “responsible citizens to ignore such misleading reports” and urged the administration to enforce stringent measures against those conspire through irresponsible, unnecessary and inflammatory designs “to vitiate the educational and social atmosphere.”

These forces also seek to dislodge the long standing ambience of peace and harmony in the state, the cell bemoaned.

The cell noted that in the past few months certain organizations and individuals have repeatedly attacked the Christians

The latest were the “false allegations” leveled against the St. Anne’s hostel superintendent, the press release said.

It also point out a sustained and “malicious media campaign” against Jesuit Father Alphonse Aind, who was recently convicted for being part of gangrape.

The Khunti district court is scheduled to pronounce the punishment for Father Aind on May 14.

“Media are also responsible for tarnishing the good image of the Sisters of Charity,” added the statement signed by cell’s president Father Anand David Xalxo.

“Such deliberately negative news vitiates public perception regarding such institutions and societies. Even as we know that for more than 50 years the Sisters of Charity have been selflessly serving the disowned and the desolate.”

The cell urged the administration to immediately identify take action on disruptive elements and institutions that indulge in negative activities and restore the atmosphere of peace and good will in the state.

Earlier on May 6, local leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party alleged at a press conference in Ranchi that Christian missionaries were spreading tension in Jharkhand.

One of them Deepak Prakash said the missionaries are upset over the anti-conversion bill the state passed last year.

The Church people now misuse the Pathalgadi movement of the tribal people to keep outsiders from tribal villagers, he alleged.