|
Police said yesterday they were investigating a blaze that devastated a church in New Delhi, as hundreds of Christians took to the streets to protest what they said was a deliberate attack. |
A church spokesman said there was a strong smell of kerosene after the fire that destroyed most of Saint Sebastian’s, one of Delhi’s biggest churches, on Monday morning.
“It is a deliberate attack. We don’t know who has done it but it was well planned,” Savarimuthu Sankar, a spokesman for the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese, said.
“The electrical mains unit is intact, so there could not have been a short circuit.”
Police said they had registered a case of “mischief by fire” and were questioning various people, including the church watchman.
“The police have assured us that they will constitute a special team to investigate as early as possible and nab the culprits,” Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto told the NDTV news network.
Around 1,500 members of Delhi’s Christian community protested outside the city’s police headquarters yesterday, shouting slogans and carrying placards to demand action over the fire.
The protesters believe the apparent attack was part of an attempt to polarise voters before Delhi state polls, expected early next year.
“We want a judicial probe into the matter, and demand that security be given to every church, and the accused be arrested,” Father Mathew Koyickal said.
The protesters, including women and children, raised slogans of “We want justice” and held up placards with messages like “Pray and let others pray.”
Archbishop Couto, who had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a judicial inquiry, said Home Minister Rajnath Singh has given him an appointment today.
“We will put our demands before the home minister. Hope he fulfils them,” he said.
The protesters, who also demanded security in Delhi churches, were reportedly assured by the police that their demands would be met.
Special Commissioner of Police Deepak Mishra, accompanied by other senior officials, assured them that a proper inquiry will be conducted.
Mishra assured the people police would be deployed during every Delhi church function.
Due to the protest, which lasted two hours, police stopped traffic outside the police headquarters, leading to traffic snarls.
The protesters also tried to enter the police headquarters to meet Commissioner of Police B S Bassi, but were prevented.
Later, a delegation met the police chief, who assured them of a speedy probe.
Alleging police inaction, Anita Benjamin, a spokesperson of the Rastriya Isai Mahasangh, said that police wasted a lot of time in gathering evidence.
She said the Christian community was scared and they wanted a quick probe.
“As the Delhi police officials reached the spot to assess the situation, they, without even initial investigation, said the church burning seems to be a case of electrical short-circuit,” she said.
Prominent community leaders, including former Church of North India (CNI) bishop Karam Masih and civil rights activist John Dayal, participated in the protest.
Christians make up 2% of India’s 1.2bn population, while 80% are Hindus.
Fears of religious polarisation have grown in India since the Bharatiya Janata Party stormed to power in May.
