Cardinal Gracias launches Gender Equality Day – 27 Jan

The Archbishop of Mumbai has declared January 27th a Day of Solidarity for justice, awareness and gender equality. The Catholic Church’s role in education, especially among non-Christians, fundamental to changing the mentality and attitude towards women. Discrimination against women has negative effects on boys and men.

Maharashtra, January 10, 2013: Mumbai On January 27,  the Archdiocese of Mumbai will hold a Day of Solidarity for justice, awareness and gender equality, commissioned by the Archbishop, Card. Oswald Gracias, President of the Bishops’ Conference of India. The decision was taken after the rape case in New Delhi, that has rekindled the debate on violence against women. It is “the exclusion of God from human life” that leads people to “every kind of cruelty”, in particular against women. For 24 hours, the Catholic community in the Archdiocese will participate in meetings, seminars and various initiatives. In addition, every parish, convent and seminary will hold an hour of prayer, from 6pm to 7pm in the evening. Card. Gracias hopes that the day will “announce a social transformation”, because “contempt” against women has many faces – selective abortion, female feticide, discrimination, domestic violence and exclusion – and “causes great injury to men and society”. Below, we publish a reflection by Card.Gracias to present the Day.

The “marginalisation of God” in human life leads to all kinds of  evil, women are objectified and treated as second class, and the contempt for women” expressed in various forms: selective abortions, female foeticide, discriminations, domestic violence and exclusion.

The Catholic Church in India was plunged into deep anguish and sorrow at the death of the gang rape victim, the savagery inflicted upon this young Indian woman was  horrific and barbaric and I am hopeful, that this Day of Solidarity will serve to usher in a social transformation and a  radical change in the attitudes towards women and call for an urgent Gender Sensitisation  and Gender Justice and Gender Equality in  the nation.

Gender equality is a burning issue of all times. It affects not only the fifty percent of women but all of humankind. Gender inequality has done immense harm to women and  also men and society.

The culture of domination, marginalization and exclusion which embodies ideas, beliefs, values, traditions, rules, norms, perspectives (ideologies) that prefer males/sons has been styled the culture of patriarchy. Through dominating social structures men own, control and manage financial, intellectual and ideological resources as well as the labor, fertility and sexuality of women, and thus perpetuate gender discrimination. Such a culture produces stereotyped notions of how a woman or man should behave (in words and actions), whereby they themselves become transmitters of the above value system. Consequently women also become both victims and victimizers.

Gender Justice and Gender Equality are part of the ethos of the Church, the Bishops of India in 1974 promised that they would stand for the dignity and rights of women by providing education and empowerment.

In 1984, the CBCI initiated Consultation on Women keeping in mind the need to overcome the cultural bias against the girl.

In  2009, the ‘Gender Policy of the Catholic Church of India’ was issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) called for the  Church to be gender-sensitive at all times and this policy is Operative in every diocese and parish in India.

The Church has been a Vanguard in the empowerment of women, Pope John Paul II landmark apostolic letter Mulieris Dignitatem in 1988 specifically  on the Dignity of women reminding us of the important role woman play in the family, society , world and also  church

The socio-cultural situation of women should not be understood in the same way among all social classes and ethnic groups especially among the marginalised and the oppressed. It has its lights and its shadows. Though we have examples of empowered women in leadership positions and role-models like Blessed Mother Theresa and Blessed Alphonsa, nevertheless the reality of women of all sections reveals instances of domestic and societal violence on young girls and women. Depending on the regions, female feticide, infanticide, rape, molestation, kidnapping, abduction, battering, dowry deaths, murdering, trafficking for sex and slavery exist even today.

Women of the marginalized groups such as dalits, tribals, backward castes and minorities suffer much due to poverty, ill-health, lack of access to literacy and appropriate knowledge and lack of hygiene and potable water. In addition, they are being displaced from their lands and livelihoods. They suffer systemic and structural violence that enslave them and dehumanize them economically, socio-politically and religio-culturally.

Gender discrimination has negative effects on boys and men as well. It damages their psyche and increases the incidence of morbidity and crime among them. Relations of distrust, conflict, competition and many forms of subtle abuse emerge instead of those rooted in values of caring, sharing, compassion, mutual respect, collaboration and partnership. Such discrimination thus has negative consequences on human relations.

The process of globalization which is market-centered and profit-driven, leads to further exploitation of women as cheap labour resulting in the increasing pauperization of women.

Fundamentalism and communalism reinforce the subjugation of women to men, suppress women’s movements by dividing women along religious lines and intensify violence against women.

The Church has been spearheading several initiatives to bring about positive changes in the life situation of women and girls. From the time of the early Christian missionaries who placed emphasis on the education of both girls and boys, through its multiple interventions in the fields of welfare, education, health and the empowerment process to organize women, the Catholic Church has played a prominent role to improve the status of women.

The Church in India has been striving to impart this all-round formation in various ways and various fora. In a special way, the Church is doing so through her network of educational institutions. At present, the Church conducts 20,370 educational institutions in India. According to statistics available to us from a recent survey conducted in preparation for the CBCI Meeting, 58.5% of these institutions are in the rural areas and 54.4% of students in our institutions are girls. It is significant that the vast majority of our students are children of other faiths. By imparting a sound character formation and by striving to promote harmony, understanding and a quest for excellence through our educational institutions, the Church renders a service not only to Christians, but also to the nation as a whole.

Every Catholic educational institution has a special concern for the marginalized, especially the girl-child.

The attitudinal change is required to bring about Gender Equality and Gender Justice and we hope that this Day of Solidarity will make an impact on the city of Mumbai, the State and all over the nation and usher in a change for the good in the empowerment of women, Gender Justice and Gender Equality.”

- cardinal oswald gracias

Pope’s peace message welcomed with hope & courage

Lenin Raguvanshi, director of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (Pvchr), comments on Benedict XVI’s messgae for the 46th World Day of Peace. Among the threats to a “sustainable peace”, male selfishness in male-female relationships, which leads to violence, such as New Delhi rape or selective abortions. The “fundamental” role of religion, against extreme forms of secularism that hinder peace.

Mumbai,  January 09, 2013:  A “powerful” call to be received “with hope and courage,” to “help and guide the nations of the world to create pluralist democracies” and “sustainable peace”. Lenin Raghuvanshi, director of thePeople’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (Pvchr) in Varanasi, thus welcomes the Message of Benedict XVI for the 46th World Day of Peace, on the topic “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Speaking to AsiaNews the Indian activist, a layman, stresses the importance of the Pope’s words, in a difficult social and political time for India, still shaken by the New Delhi rape, which has reignited the debate on violence against women and human dignity, and hit by scandals of corruption of its ruling class.

Raguvanshi points to what Benedict XVI said on the “dominance of a selfish and individualistic mentality” in society. For the activist, in India and in the world the male-female relationship is characterized by “a male selfishness, which seeks to destroy the woman and all those most vulnerable,” such as Dalits and tribal communities, but also the victims of selective abortions.

“In his message – says Raghuvanshi – the Holy Father correlated peace with the gap between rich and poor. Peace without justice is a symptom of a culture of silence and impunity.” This, he explains, “means that we need to support the countries and peoples in need. What is the message of Jesus, why was he born into a poor family? In order to bring dignity to the poorest. Nobody is excluded from the grace and dignity conferred by the glory of God, the gap between rich and poor is not democratic “and” is generating conflicts around the world. ”

Citing a fundamental point of the message, in which the pope said that “peace is the gift of God to man,” the secular activist emphasizes “the crucial role of religion and spirituality in the life of every person.” “Today – he explains – even extreme forms of secularism are an obstacle to peace.Whatever kind of extremist ideology creates problems is dangerous and leads to violence. Extremism in the form of terrorism (the others must conform to my beliefs), made with individual or state actions, is dangerous for sustainable peace. ”

According to Lenin Raghuvanshi “theology is very important to involve humans in the peace process.”

- asianews

Protest Email – Christians must Deny faith or No Water & Firewood

Help Christian Adivasis Stopped from Taking Water & Firewood
- Please Send SOS Petition for Protection & Representation –
Maharashtra Persecution Rises – After Malvan, its Palghar

If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, HE also will deny us – 2 Timothy 2:12

MAHARASHTRA STOP PRESS: After the attack on Christians in Malvan, we now have Christians in Manohar targeted. No Sunday worship has taken place since the attack on New Year’s eve. Even worse, today we received information that Christian adivasis (tribals)have been refused water and firewood by the non-Christian villagers. How do they survive?

The authorities seem to have left them to fend for themselves. The police are callous. And we can’t even visit them, as Hindutvas turn on us. We need you to urgently send this SOS email petition calling for action and for the state government to nominate Christian representatives on various commissions, corporations, councils, boards, etc. to help. Please find below, a brief report of what has happened.

By God’s Grace – Your emails in every instance have been successful & provided succor to the suffering. And we are confident, the LORD will bless this one will be no different. This email from you can bring relief to persecuted Christians in Maharashtra….

Email Below SOS Towards Zero Tolerance on Persecution in Maharashtra – Model State

Email to: sharadpawar.sp@gmail.com, rrpatilindia@gmail.com, acs.home@maharashtra.gov.in, csfpost@gmail.com, cs-maharashtra@nic.in, acs.minorities@maharashtra.gov.in

Dear Decision-maker,

Request: Act on The CSF Recommendations & Nominate Christians, ASAP

We have been given to understand that The CSF has presented to you police inaction in Malvan and now in Manohar, Palghar, where Christians are being targeted. ICAN has increasing reports of such attacks by fundamentalists, which can be offset by due Christian representation on various commissions, corporations, councils, boards, police, etc.

However, it seems that the term minority is some to mean just one community or groups that take to the streets. We therefore call upon you to assist Christians prevent attacks on the community and fill in the vacancies, recommendations for which have already been made. This is the least we would expect in a state ruled by ‘secular’ parties – Congress, NCP and others.

Looking forward to your earliest corrective action – bro. Joseph Dias, The CSF general secretary will follow-up with you in this regard.

Me & My Loved Ones

(YOUR NAME)

New Year Eve Attack

The CSF expresses its shock at the behaviour of the Manohar police station officers, in Kaspada, village Tamsai, Palghar taluka of Thane Rural district in Maharashtra state. I met with some of the victims, who even produced photographic evidence, which is surprising because we are ruled by the Congress-NCP combine. Soon after the Malwan incident, this is an even more severe attack, which happened on 30th December, 2012 by a mob of 400 to 500 Hindutva fundamentalists. Around 25 Christian adivasis had gathered for Sunday worship service, in the house church of one Halya Patil, as they had been doing so for the last almost 2 years. Suddenly the mob surrounded the place and asked the Christian villagers to stop the prayer service. Then about a dozen of the began beating the believers, which included many women and children, who were not spared. The musical instruments were broken and bibles were torn or desecrated. About 25 of the worshipers sustained injuries and had to be treated.

Other Christians Warned

Since early that day morning, believers who came to the house church from near-by places (Amban, Gharatpada, Durvesh, Embur, etc.) where accosted on the road by the Hindutva communalists and asked not to attend the prayer service or were threatened with danger. Many turned back out of fear, or the number of casualties would have been more. When the Christian adivasis went to the Manohar police station, the officers were hostile and refused to entertain them. Instead in front of the police that Hindutva fundamentalists openly threatened to attack the Christians and kill any pastor that came to lead the worship. They also threatened to deny the Christians ration and government benefits, if they continued to pray in the village. The group panchayat (local self-governing agency) of the Pochade and Tamsai villages called for meeting to impose economic sanctions, social boycott and restrictions on practicing of Christianity in the area.

Women & Children Not Spared

Of those hurt, about 10 were women, 5 were children and 14 were male believers. Most injuries were internal and x-rays / CT scans have been advised, but the Christians are too poor to afford any such medicare. No action was taken against the 14 main culprits, rather the Christians were given a warning notice by the police not to give any cause for trouble or action would be taken against them. The Christian advasis being given no protection or even hope of assistance from the police are mortally afraid of them and had this Sunday’s worship in Vikramgad, Voice of Holy Spirit House Church, which is about 20 kilometers away from their homes. Some of the victims visited The CSF office in Mumbai to record their complaints. The Hindutva fundamentalists are reported to have said that they have orders from their seniors to prevent any practice of Christianity in the region.

Police Inaction Emboldens Hindutvas

The area has been simmering since the last over 2 years, with Christians being targeted and the police looking the other way. Instead the police have been saying it would cost the Christians, Rs.2,000 per constable, if they needed protection. The Christians are fearful of the police with The CSF receiving complaints from believers of the neighbouring villages of Nandgaon, Talauli, Savarkhand… For Christian adivasis from the Palghar and Vikramgad talukas of the Thane district, the Constitutional Right to Freedom of Religion, certainly has no meaning. In these talukas, there is no cremation ground too, with Christian believers, being forced to cremate bodies, denying their faith or burying dead bodies in their own land. The affected Christians however, are putting up a heroic fight and refuse to stop praying or converting back, though there are a few reports of believers secretly worshiping and not publicly.

In view of the above, you are urged to pray and act to protect the Christians from a bloodbath in Kaspada, village Tamsai, Palghar and also the neighbouring Vikramgad talukas.

You may get in touch with the undersigned for confidential information about the incidents, as the Christian adivasis are afraid for their lives and hence no names are mentioned.

- Joseph Dias +91 9769555657

Producer Rahul Rawail ‘beats up’ Bandra evangelist

The victim has alleged that the attack was carried out by Rawail as she was opposed to the activities of the group on the building premises. Rawail is a tenant in the building. However, Rawail denied all the allegations.

Balchandran is said to have suffered three stitches on her forehead and has registered an FIR at the Bandra police station against Rawail.

Rawail is known for making films such as Betaab, Anjaam and Arjun Pandit among others. Rawail has recently announced that he was also making Ghayal Returns with Sunny Deol.

“He stays on the ground floor and is a tenant like us. We operated from the second and third floor of the same building and we conduct our prayer meets here. On Saturday, at around 8:30pm, as we were guiding our members to the exit of the bungalow, Rawail along with his wife and son came and shouted at us and pushed me around. His son pushed me and banged my head against the wall and injured myself. Later, we went to the police station and registered an FIR against him and got myself treated at Bhabha Hospital,” alleged Balchandran, who is the chairperson of the Elohim Bible Group.

When contacted, Rawail said, “She had 200 people along with her. How could I assault her? It was she herself who banged her head against the wall and injured herself. She is a sick woman and heads a group which bears adherence to a religious cult, whose leader is based in Korea. The people accompanying her tried to break open the door of the house.”

According to Balchandran, Rawail had complained about the group’s activities especially about the noise. The group has been conducting activities for some time at the same premises.

“Because of his complaints, we kept the doors and windows of the hall closed. There was no chance of any noise pollution. Besides, we ensured that no disturbance is caused to Rawail or his family members,” Balchandran added

- dna

Mob disrupt prayer meeting in Maharashtra

Maharashtra, July 16, 2012: Salve has been holding prayer sessions every Sunday for the past two years.

A mob disrupted a prayer meeting at the house of a tribal Christian in a village in Maharashtra’s Thane district Sunday.

More than 50 Christian tribals had assembled at Madhukar Salve’s house in Thavalpada village and were singing hymns when the mob assaulted them.

Salve has been holding prayer sessions every Sunday for the past two years.

Additional Superintendent of Police, Thane Rural, Sangramsinh Nishandar confirmed the incident but said no arrests have been made yet.

- ucan

CSF Impact: CM intervenes for Good Friday services. Protests called off

Maharashtra, April 03, 2012: The Maharashtra government has agreed to grant permission for Good Friday worship to be held at August Kranti Maidan, which was earlier withheld by Mr. AB Kulkarni, the Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Secretary, the competent authority. The CSF had taken strong exception to this, especially since the service has been attended by thousands for the last over 55 years with no interruption. Further, The CSF had threatened to demonstrate against the decision and sent memorandums to the chief minister and the minority affairs minister. Other community groups, like the Maharashtra Council of Churches, Association of Concerned Catholics and Maharashtra Christian Youth Forum joined in with their support and expressed solidarity with the cause.
 
The CSF general secretary, Joseph Dias, along with community activists took up the issue with various ministers and city parliamentarians. Finally, the parish priests of Saint Stephen’s Church, Fr. Ernest Fernandes, Fr. Avin Franklin and activists, met the chief secretary, Mr. Ratnakar Gaikwad and Cultural Affairs Secretary, Mr. AB Kulkarni to get the necessary official permissions. Earlier, on memorandums presented, the chief minister and the minorities affairs minister, Naseem Khan intervened to resolve the issue.
 
In view of an amicable solution being evolved, The CSF has called off its protests, which were planned, as the denial of permission had hurt the religious sentiments of the community. The CSF and community groups have also come down heavily on a few Christian politicians, seeking to take credit by jumping on to the publicity bandwagon, once the issue was resolved, through their efforts.

Denial to hold Good Friday services *Holy Land: Prayers for The CSF collaborators from Indian Chaplaincy

The CSF takes up denial of permission to hold Good Friday services
Memorandum to Chief Minister and Minorities Affairs Minister
Future Course of Action on Monday
 
The CSF, the activist community NGO, takes strong exception to denial of permission to hold Good Friday worship at August Kranti Maidan by Mr. AB Kulkarni, the Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Secretary, the competent authority. The Good Friday religious services on the grounds, have been held by Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church on Cumballa Hill Road and is attended by thousands for the last 55 years with no interruption. Similarly, this year also applications for permission was sent out. However, Mr. AB Kulkarni denied the permission, despite repeated attempts by prominent community members.
 
The state’s Cultural Secretary’s rationale is that it is his prerogative as per 2005 High Court judgement, to decide whom to give permission or not. And he had exercised his authority. The CSF general secretary, Joseph Dias said that ” until last year, The Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church had received permission and had been holding the services. The permission for the last 2 years was reportedly given by Mr. AB Kulkarni himself and hence his behavior is suspicious. If at all there is such a HC restriction, how was permission granted post 2005 and hence, this denial is a clear violation of our fundamental rights and an encroachment on the freedom of religion”.
 
The CSF has presented memorandums seeking the intervention of Mr. Prithviraj Chavan, the Chief Minister and Mr. Naseem Khan, the Minorities Affairs Minister, who assured The CSF delegation that the issue was being looked into. However, the community is panicky as there are barely a few days left and arrangements for the service have to be made. The CSF has decided that failing a resolution by Monday, the community organisation would be compelled to consider other options. 

Holy Week: Indian Chaplaincy in the Holy Land

 

Israel, March 31, 2012: There are a number of Indian chaplaincies all over the world, in countries where a number of Christians from India live, but the Holy Land Chaplaincy is something very special and unique. It is the place, the geography, the politics, the faith-communities around, in the Holy Land that make the Indian chaplaincy here quite important. As the place is the very place of foundation and origin of our faith and the Church of Jerusalem is the mother of all churches on the earth. Hence, it is vital to have Christians around our shrines and churches. But unfortunately, the Christian presence is fast diminishing here, with thousands of Christians migrating to Europe, Canada, Australia, Latin America, etc. for better pasture or as some say to escape harassment from other communities.
 
The migrant communities in the Holy Land, like the Indians add to the missing elements among Christians and through their presence add zeal and vigour the Christian presence in the Holy Land. It is the migrant communities, such as these, who live and practise their faith with much enthusiasm.  Through their simplicity and piety, they carry the message of the Gospel to the families of Jews and local others in the Holy Land. Those of Indian origin, live and witness their Christian faith in a visible and effective way amidst these communities, also the other varieties of Christians here.
 
Though Holy Land has so many chaplaincies (communities), but the Indian Chaplaincy seems to be the most visible and effective Christian community around. In the Holy Land, it has the largest number of participants for a single liturgical celebration. eg. Way of the Cross the number will be around 1500 and for Easter, it would cross the 2000 mark, which is huge. No churches in the Holy Land have such large numbers gathering for a single liturgical celebration. Besides, in the Indian liturgical meets, there is more life, more piety, faith and more colour and life, attracting more spectators.
 
Thank you for your service and we assure of our prayer for you all.
 
- fr. jay ofm

Malegaon blasts: Govt. objects to RSS chief’s remarks

Maharashtra, February 29, 2012: The government Wednesday objected in the Supreme Court to the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief’s remarks on the Malegaon blasts when the court was hearing a plea by the case’s key accused against the Bombay High Court order that allowed their custodial interrogation.

Additional Solicitor General Harin Rawal drew the attention of the apex court bench of Justice H.L.Dattu and Justice Anil R. Dave to the news item that had appeared in a national daily.

“Today I find some article in a national daily which causes concern to me,” Rawal told the court. Rawal drew the court’s attention to the news report, citing RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as saying that the then Maharashtra Police’s Anti-Terror Squad chief Hemant Karkare told him that he was “under pressure to implicate right-wing outfits” in the Malegaon, Samjhauta Express, Ajmer and Mecca Masjid bomb blasts. The court said: “We have not come across it.”

Rawal told the court about the news item in the course of the hearing of a petition by Prasad Srikant Purohit and Sudhakar Dhar Dwivedi, who have challenged the Bombay High Court order allowing the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to interrogate them in connection with 2008 Malegaon blast.

The apex court by its December 16, 2011, interim order had suspended the Bombay High Court order permitting the custodial interrogation of Purohit and Dwivedi. The court extended its interim order till March 14, when the matter would be listed for further hearing.

Purohit is still a Lt. Colonel in the Indian Army and is facing disciplinary proceedings.

Pointing to the contents of the news report, Rawal said it amounted to commenting on the merit of the case before the top court. He said the real test of interference in a sub judice matter was “not in actual interference but the tendency to interfere”.

He cited the case of Milk Control Order during the then West Bengal Chief Minister P.C. Sen’s tenure.

While the Calcutta High Court was seized of a petition challenging the order, Sen defended the government’s decision at a public meeting. He was hauled up by the high court for airing his views on the issue which was sub judice and it was also upheld by the apex court.

As the court was told that the news report was not pertaining to the proceedings of the apex court but the comments of a public figure, the court wondered why such statements are made when they are of no benefit.

The court also observed that the people who are reporting also have a responsibility. Karkare fell to the bullets of Pakistani terrorists during 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in November 2008.

- tcn

Kalyan diocese Pune carol singers attacked brutally

Pune, December 17, 2011: An eparchy of Kalyan Syrian rite parish in Pune had its Carol singing group attacked on 17 December, 2011 as they moved from house to house. A complaint was registered with the Hadapsar police station in the area. The carol singing group was attacked and inhumanly beaten up by a small group of youngsters. The attackers used hockey sticks and cricket bats. They pushed them on ground and kicked them brutally on chest, stomach and other parts of the body. They broke the hands of two of parishners, who had to be operated in the hospital. There was a possibility of even murder, if the other members of the group had not blocked the attackers. In spite of continued pleas from the women and children in the group, the attackers did not heed, but only threatened them. The Christians now pray that the attackers are treated strictly according to the provisions of the law, so that such instances are not repeated in the future. We forgive the attackers but condemn such actions, which causes untold misery for the victims and also vitiates the atmosphere and social fabric, which needs to be dealt with effectively.

- fr. francis eluvathingal

Hundreds of Christians protest Police-Builder-MNS Corporator nexus. Apostolic Church Razed. Bibles, Christmas literature, sound equipment reduced to rubble.

Mumbai, December 19, 2011: Hundreds of Christians led by Indian Christian United Brigade, with the All India Christian Council (aicc) of the Thane region participated in protest, with local Christian activists, like Sachin Jadhav, Sanjay Londhe and David Dhule, strongly criticising the incident at a demonstration on the highway. The CSF takes strong exception to the demolition and desecration of a church in Ghatkopar East, Mumbai and a cover-up exercise undertaken by the police. Pastors Prabhakaran Koilraj, Alankara and Simon Krishnaswamy told The CSF general secretary that they were also beaten up by a mob and the church bulldozed, besides Bibles, spiritual Christmas literature, sound equipment material and furniture being reduced to rubble on 14th December, 2011. The pastors of the Apostolic Christian Assembly Church in Kamraj Nagar have been holding service in the area since 1992 and protested against the father-son duo builders, Champaklal and Kunal Vardhan, who have not included the church in a slum redevelopment scheme. The damage estimated by The CSF would well go to over rupees one crore, at the minimum.

According to the reports of the pastors to The CSF, the almost 1500 sq ft church held regular Tamil and Hindi services. On that day, during the prayers services, the pastors were called to the office of Raj Thackeray’s MNS corporator, Parmeshwar Kadam, who is also the chief promoter of the scheme. The pastors pointed out to him that the church which existed since the nineties was not shown in the municipal plan, while there were two temples shown. As they were discussing the builder by means of a bulldozer, within minutes succeeded in razing the church to the ground. Sachin Jadhav of the local aicc chapter said that it is for such reasons that the Communal Violence Bill needed to be taken up and passed by the parliament or the minorities will be left at the mercy of such goons, with no scruples.

The CSF sees a sinister design in the actions of the Pant Nagar police, who seem to be in league with the politicians and builders, leading to innocuos charges being filed against some of the accused, who were bailed out within a matter of hours on nominal bail of Rs.5,000 only. The police also delayed for days to register the complaint, as the Christians were running from pillar to post. The issue rather than a non-bailable offence of attacking and demolishing a place of worship and desecration of religious articles was made to be one of assault. The police have also given the builders enough time to apply for anticipatory bail. The CSF calls upon the police to immediately arrest the builder father-son duo under these serious charges and in a supplementary FIR add these charges to the remaining accused arrested.

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