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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Church condemns attack on priests, nuns in Odisha
Kochi: With another attack against Christian clergy in Odisha, various church bodies issued a strong condemnation of attacks against Christians in various parts of the country. The response followed an alleged attack on priests and nuns in Balasore diocese in Odisha. Syro-Malabar Church media commission said the latest attack at 5pm on Aug 6 in Gangadhar village of Jaleswar district, Odisha, was carried out alleging religious conversion. Fr Lijo Nirappel and Fr V Jojo from Balasore diocese were injured. The two priests, along with two nuns and a few mission workers, reached the church under Gangadhar Mission to offer a mass for the deceased, the Church added. After the service, about 70 Bajrang Dal activists blocked their way and brutally assaulted the priests and their assistant, the Church said. "Witnesses said the attackers shouted: 'Remember, Odisha is ruled by BJP. Christians are not needed here and you will not be allowed to operate here.' Although police arrived at the scene, they were unwilling to file a case, showing how sectarian forces control the legal system," said an official statement. It added the reluctance to act against lawlessness in Chhattisgarh emboldened Sangh organisations to continue their attacks on Christian minority. Meanwhile, CBCI president Mar Andrews Thazhath said Indian Constitution guaranteed right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion but ordinary people are being attacked for no reason in the name of religious conversion and the anti-conversion bill. "It is happening in different ways in different states. So, I urge the concerned authorities, state or Centre, to act against such unconstitutional attacks on freedom of religion and rights of minorities," he said. Fr Philip Kaviyil, global director of Catholic Congress, wrote a letter to Prime Minister demanding action against the attack on nuns, priests and laymen in Odisha by Bajrang Dal members. He said it was both heartbreaking and alarming that such hate-fuelled acts were carried out even in broad daylight, often with impunity. In a sarcastic Facebook post, metropolitan of Thrissur diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Yuhanon Mor Meletius, said "The actor whom we had sent to Delhi from Thrissur Parliament seat is missing. We are concerned whether we should inform police." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
End Sangh Parivar attacks on Christians, demands Syro-Malabar media commission
Christians are living in constant fear and insecure conditions in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-governed States of the country due to the high-handedness of the Sangh Parivar organisations, according to the Syro-Malabar media commission. The communal elements are encroaching upon the democratic rights of the minorities in these States. The Union government should intervene to end the atrocities committed against the Christians, said a statement issued by Fr. Tom Olikkarott, PRO of the Church, while protesting against a reported attack on priests and nuns in Gangadhar village of Jaleswar in Odisha by suspected Bajrang Dal activists on Thursday. Two priests, Fr. Lijo Nirappel and Fr. V. Jijo, were reportedly attacked by a 70-member-strong Bajrang Dal group. The miscreants snatched away the mobile phones of the priests and damaged their vehicles, said a statement issued by the commission. The commission said the police remained mute spectators to the attack. It was the reluctance of the authorities to act against the attackers of nuns in Chhattisgarh that encouraged the miscreants in Odisha and attack the minorities, it said.
