Bhopal: A new wave of communalism targeting Christian community and churches has hit Madhya Pradesh one of the many BJP-ruled states in India. Christians are being subjected to state sponsored victimization by religious fanatics of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangad has appealed to President of India to intervene and save the Christians of Madhya Pradesh from looming danger/ targeted violence against their religion and life.
The appeal states that two groups of VHP & Bajrangdal goons had visited several churches in Jhabua district in early September 2021, threatening to demolish ‘illegal structures’ and accusing priests of running a ‘conversion rackets’. The Bishop has demanded Indian govt to ensure the safety and security of Christians in Madhya Pradesh and the ongoing “anti-Christian violence” in the state should be stopped immediately.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has threatened to demolish churches in Madhya Pradesh. Churches in Jabuwa, which shares a border with Baroda on the Madhya Pradesh-Gujarat border, will be demolished.
It is pertinent to mention here that churches in Madhya Pradesh were threatened by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad when the BJP and Hindu Aikya Vedi rallied in support of Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangad’s statement that a narcotic jihad was taking place in Kerala alongside the Love Jihad led Christian women and youth.
Shalom Protestant Church Auxiliary Bishop Paul Munia said Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders had threatened to demolish churches in the area on Sunday. The leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad threatened to demolish the mosques, claiming they were built illegally. He said the church would be demolished on Sunday, September 26.
A delegation led by Bishop Paul Munia approached the district collector after the church was threatened with demolition. He demanded the immediate intervention of the district administration to prevent atrocities. The group also submitted a petition to President Ramnath Kovind, the Chief Minister and the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, asking them to take action to curb ongoing atrocities against Christians and Christian organizations.
Paul Munia said the petition was sent to the district collector and president on September 17. VHP leaders have threatened to convert to Hinduism. The authorities are not in favor of the Christian community or of the believers. He added that only 4 percent of the one-lakh population in the district is Christian.
Father Maria Stephen, a public relations officer for the Catholic Church in Madhya Pradesh, said the district authorities, including the police, were prejudiced against Christians. “A sector of leaders and organizations have begun to publicly threaten to demolish churches. This is a very dangerous situation. Christians want peace. They are preparing to go to court to guarantee peace and unity in the community,” he said .
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has been threatening Christian organizations in the area with accusations of proselytizing. But Father Maria Stephen made it clear that it was the constitutional right of each individual to choose which religion to adopt. He also said that the conversion is not done by illegal means. In the past, Hindutva groups carried out various attacks against Christians in Madhya Pradesh. Web Desk
