Under-Construction Church Vandalised in Haryana, 14 Booked by Police

Mangalore Today News Network

Hisar, Mar 16, 2015:  A church under construction in a Haryana village was vandalised on Saturday allegedly by some residents who also placed an idol of Lord Hanuman at the site, claiming that the land was meant for residential use.

The police said the sarpanch or head of Kaimri village in Haryana’s Hisar district, had a few days ago claimed that the land on which the church was being built was meant for houses.

When construction of the church continued, angry locals allegedly damaged the structure and put a saffron flag and the Hanuman idol there, claiming a right to the land.

14 people have been booked by the police under various charges, including for damaging a place of worship and criminal intimidation, following a complaint by the church pastor, Father Subhash Chand. No arrests have been made so far.

Policemen have been deployed in the village to keep the situation under control.

There have been several attacks on Christian institutions and churches in Delhi in the last two months and a church in Mangalore in Karnataka was vandalised last month. Christian groups have protested and have alleged that religious minorities are being targeted by what they call Hindu extremists.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Parliament last month of his government’s commitment to religious equality and tolerance. "My government has only one religion - India first," he said, adding "Nobody has the right to discriminate on the basis of religion."

 

Courtesy: NDTV