4 churches vandalised in 2 months: Is India now a 'Hindu nation,' ask Christians

New Delhi: Following the vandalism at a church in West Delhi’s Vikaspuri on Wednesday - the fourth such incident in two months - the Christian community has started questioning the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on growing attacks on religious minorities in the country. Leaders of the community feel that “India has now become a Hindu nation” and the police have also “changed its colour with the change in government”.

‘Our Lady of Graces Church’ in Outer Delhi was vandalised by two men who pushed down the statue of Mother Mary and broke the glass cabin it was kept in. Their act was caught on CCTV camera installed on the premises of the church.

The police said the three persons they arrested after identifying them in CCTV footage were drunk and acting on a bet. “We took into custody three men – Ravinder, Raja and Kaka – from near the church after checking the CCTV footage. All of them are residents of West Delhi’s Tilak Nagar. They were drunk and had challenged each other to do something sensational which can grab media attention. They have no association with any political and fringe religious group,” Joint Commissioner of Police (South-West) Tejinder Luthra told Firstpost.

“Their act was not deliberate and they did not want to hurt religious sentiments. They were remorseful when they get back to senses,” he said.

The Christians, however, see a pattern in the recent attacks. “There is a clear pattern in all recent attacks. It was definitely a planned and orchestrated,” said Delhi Catholic Archdiocese spokesperson Savirimuthu Sankar.

Upset with PM Modi’s “silence” over “attacks on religious freedom” and “poisonous and virulent hate campaign against Christians and Muslims”, they said they had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi but did not get any response. “Our places and scriptures are set on fire. Statues are broken down but nothing has been done to protect our interests. Is this sabka saath, sabka vikas (together with all, development for all)?” asked Archbishop Anil Cuoto.

“Unless the government and the police stand up to protect our rights such attacks on our community will keep happening,” he said. “The environment has degenerated into one of coercion, divisiveness and suspicion. This has percolated to the small towns and villages of rural India, severing bonds forged in a dialogue of life over the centuries, shattering the harmony built around the messages of peace and brotherhood,” the bishop added.

However, the RSS termed the accusation against them as “unfair”. “The attacks on Churches are minor and isolated incidents. It is a law-and-order problem and we have nothing to do with it. We are a socio-cultural organisation which never endorses any act of vandalism and violence. I hope the police take timely and prompt actions. Have faith the in law enforcement agency," RSS Prant Pracharak Pradip Joshi told Firstpost.

Catholic activist John Dayal said, “The only explanation as to why these incidents are taking place is polarisation of the communities. The government must ensure end of hate campaigns, coercion and violence targeting religious minorities.”

“Although Modi had assured security to minorities, he is yet to rein in the fringe elements. It is said that he does not even utter a single against the hooligans of his party and its affiliates. It encourages those who want to create trouble,” he said. Recalling late Archbishop Alan de Lastic of Delhi, who had told the then PM Atal Behari Vajpayee following a spurt in incidents of anti-Christian violence during BJP rule in 2009, ‘Your silence kills’, “What the bishop had told the former prime minister then proving to be true now.”

Well-known Christian leader Father Dominic Emmanuel said: “He along with a delegation comprising three bishops met Modi just before Christmas but the PM refused to make a statement about attacks on Christians.” Rather, according to him, Modi told the delegation that the attacks were “media hype” to counter his “development agenda”.

The Congress was also critical of the government. “The government is hand-in-glove with communal forces, which indulge in violence against religious minorities and hate mongering. The silence of the prime minister is disturbing,” said Congress leader Manish Tiwari.

He said right wing activists were “consistently and deliberately” trying to lead the country towards polarization, especially with state elections due in Delhi next month.

The recent attack came after a mysterious fire on December 1, 2014 morning damaged St Sebastian’s Church in Dilshad Garden. On December 7, some unidentified people threw stones at ‘Our Lady of Fatima Forane Church’ at Jasola in south Delhi and broke windowpanes during evening Mass. That was followed by an incident on January 3 when a Christmas crib set up at ‘Church of Resurrection’ in outer Delhi’s Rohini area was found burnt to ashes.