By Matters India Reporter

New Delhi, March 1, 2020: The diocese of Faridabad on March 1 conducted special prayers in all parishes for the restoration of peace and harmony in the national capital where communal riots killed scores of people and destroyed property worth millions.

A day earlier, Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara of Faridabad visited the riot affected areas in northeastern parts of Delhi to console the victims and offer the diocese’s solidarity and support to help them recover from the trauma.

The Syro-Malabar diocese covers the National Capital region, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab states.

The diocese’s social service society, Delhi Syro-Malabar Youth Movement and Mothers Forum distributed food and medicine to those affected in those places.

Archbishop Bharanikulangara, who also visited the wounded in various hospitals, said the recent events witnessed in Delhi were a matter of grave concern and anguish.

“There would not have been so many deaths and destruction had the law enforcement agencies intervened on time,” the archbishop remarked after the visit.

A press note from the diocese deplored all acts against communal harmony and peaceful co-existence in society.

“In a land where the principle of “vasudaiva kudumbakam” (the world is one family) was lauded and where ahimsa was exemplified, anything that destroys social harmony cannot be tolerated,” it asserted.

The beauty of India, where so many religions, cultures and languages exist, is the unity in diversity and the peaceful coexistence, the diocese pointed out.

Archbishop Bharanikulangara termed as unacceptable any attempt to destroy the communal harmony in India, a land of nonviolence. Attempts against peaceful coexistence and social harmony among people of all religions are deplorable, he added.

The Syro-Malabar prelate said he found thousands living in fear and uncertainty in the affected areas and shelter homes.

He expressed anguish over the trauma the violence has caused among children and young people.

Hundreds of seriously wounded now undergo treatment in various hospitals. Many have fled their homes leaving behind their property as the violence has frightened them, he added.

The archbishop urged everyone to be alert to prevent any further violence and bring back peace and harmony among all people.

Father Martin Palamattam, director of the diocesan social service society, said they have made arrangements to reach food and medicines to the riot-affected.

The diocese plans to bring help and relief to such people in coming days through its youth and mothers.

All parishes in the diocese conducted special prayers for the victims as well as for the restoration peace in riot-affected areas.

A series of riots and violent incidents began in the Jaffrabad area of northeast Delhi on the night of February 23 that killed 46 people and wounded more than 200 people.

Earlier that day, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kapil Mishra demanded the Delhi Police clear roads that had been occupied by people protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He threatened of forcefully end the protests if the police failed to act. The speech sparked off several clashes between pro-CAA and anti-CAA demonstrators.

Next day, Hindu nationalist mobs vandalized Muslim properties and mosques, while carrying saffron flags and chanting Jai Shri Ram (hail Lord Ram). The riot continued for several days and widespread destruction of properties of mostly Muslims were reported.

The Delhi Police reportedly failed to control the violence, and in many instances allegedly aided Hindu perpetrators. Several journalists reporting the riots stated that they had been threatened by pro-CAA mobs.