Activists from Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad Attack Christians in Ghaziabad, India
By Madhu Chandra and Jose MD, Special to ASSIST News Service
ANS (1/12/07) — Activists from Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) attacked and beat Christian preachers belonging to Brethren Assembly in Indirapuram, which falls within Ghaziabad and is 25 KM away from Delhi, on January 2, 2007 at around 12 noon.
A fact finding team of All India Christian Council rushed to the spot after the news of the attack was flashed in local papers. Christian victims refused to comment in fear of further attack from religious fanatics.
Sources reaching to All India Christian Council, said that a team of 7 Christians went to Indirapuram, near Shipra Sun City, on January 2, 2007 to preach gospel by their vehicle (Tata Sumo). A group of ten people from locality came and stops the Christians from preaching and warned to leave the place immediately. Christian preachers left the spot peacefully but left their vehicle at the spot.
George from Noida reported to All India Christian Council that after half an hour, the Christian group went back to the spot to pick up their vehicle, but by the time they got there, there were already 60 to 70 activities belonging to Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad gathered there and started attacking the Christian group, brutally beating them and leaving several severely injured. Their vehicle was also badly damaged.
V.P. Paulose from Faridabad, Samuel John from Dowelly, George Thomas from Shaibabad and George from Noida, were brutally beaten and suffered injuries. The activists of Bajrang Dal and VHP smashed their vehicle and turned it upside down.
Meanwhile when the media reached the spot, they were given false allegation that the Christian group was alluring people to Christianity by offering jobs and financial help to the villagers. Sahara Times of New Delhi covered the statement of Pastor V.P. Paulose that allegations given against the Christians by Bajrang Dal and VHP activists were baseless.
Police came to rescue the victims, dispersing the crowd and sending away the Christian victims without registering any case while the vehicle was taken to Ghaziabad police station. All India Christian Council has reported that the Christians who were beaten managed to release the vehicle from Police station later.
The fact finding team was led by Dr. John Dayal General Secretary of All India Christian Council, and he was joined by Father (Dr) Dominic Emmanuel Spokesperson of Delhi Archdiocese, Sister Mary Scaria Supreme Court Advocate, Rev. Madhu Chandra Regional Secretary of All India Christian Council, Mr. M. D. Jose Social Justice Secretary of All India Christian Council, Father Dominic Bosco Director of Social Forum of North Region.
The fact finding team was annoyed when the Christian victims were too fearful of further attack that some of the victims refused to comment anything. Ghaziabad Police station did not have any report registered against culprits.
The All India Christian Councils website is: www.aiccindia.org.
