Varanasi, Oct 4: Church of North India (CNI) Bishop Peter Baldev has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for action against the attackers of a church in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
In his letter, Bishop Baldev pleaded Modi to take stern action against those vandalizing properties, vitiating the peaceful atmosphere and spreading violence at religious places.
The Protestant prelate said such anti-social elements should be identified and must be punished severely to stop repetition of such incidents.
The prime minister represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha (people’s council), the lower house of the Indian parliament.
Meanwhile on October 4, the Uttar Pradesh police said they have booked around 60 people for allegedly “creating ruckus” at St Thomas Church in Varanasi, a sacred city for Hindus.
The attack occurred on October 2, when the country celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.
B K Shukla, Station House Officer of Dashashwamedh Police Station, said they have booked nearly 60 unidentified men for creating ruckus at the church, breaking the lock of the entry gate, and also for threatening the members there.
He also said they were trying to ascertain the attackers’ identity. “They will be nabbed soon,” he added.
Church people said the members of a fringe outfit barged into the church and accused its priest of trying to convert a Hindu to Christianity.
In another incident, another group of fundamentalists allegedly beat up a man in Varanasi’s Orderly Bazar accusing him of converting members of a Hindu family to Christianity, said police October 4.
A case has been lodged and the matter is being probed, a senior official said.
(Source: theweek.in/wire-updates)