By Jacob Peenikaparambil

Indore, April 18, 2024: Ever since the BJP came to power at the center under the prime ministership of Narendra Modi, violent attacks by the Hindutva organizations on the Church personnel and institutions have been increasing. Even in the middle of elections to the Lok Sabha there is no respite from such attacks.

The latest is the attack on St. Mother Theresa School managed by the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in Telangana’s Mancherial district. Saffron clad Hindutva groups on April 16 damaged the school and assaulted the manager, a priest. Videos of the brutal attack were circulated on social media.

The reason for the violent attack appears to be flimsy. The principal noticed two days back that some students had worn saffron attire to school. When he asked the students about this, they replied that they were observing Hanuman Deeksha, a 21-day ritual. The principal then asked them to bring their parents to school so that he can discuss the issue with them.

The issue escalated when someone shared a video on social media and claimed that the principal was not allowing Hindu attire on campus. It resulted in mobs in saffron clothes rushing to the school and indulging in violence. Videos show the police struggling to control the mob.

An NDTV report says a case has been registered against the school management for hurting the Hindu sentiments, but no mention about any case against the hooligans who destroyed the school property and attacked the principal, causing injuries to him.

No response to this violent incident has appeared in the media from the Church authorities like the bishop of the diocese, regional bishops’ council and the Office of Education and Culture under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.

When attack after attack takes place why don’t the office-bearers of these organizations condemn them and demand accountability from the governments? Every citizen has the right to life and it is the duty of the government to protect the life and property of its citizens.

Why are the authorities afraid of registering their protest? What is the use of these organizations and their office-bearers, if they are not coming to the support of the priests, nuns and brothers who work in the church institutions?

If each institution or congregation has to fight for itself what is the significance of these multi-layer organizations? In the absence of protests from higher authorities, violent attacks on the Church institutions will continue to increase.

The attack on the school and its principal in Kannepally village also reveals the extent to which India is saffronized. According to the media reports, about hundred saffron clad Hindu right-wing cadres rushed to the school and indulged in destroying whatever came to their notice. It also shows that these groups take the law into their hands with impunity.

The Chrisitan groups in Kerala that support the RSS-BJP have to ask themselves whether they are not betraying their own community?

(Carmelite of Mary Immaculate Father Jacob Peenikaparambil is the director of the Indore-based Universal Solidarity Movement.)