In what seems like an attempt to cover up the recent spurt in cases of attacks on churches in the national Capital, the Delhi Police have termed them all ‘theft and mischief cases’. They have submitted a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs giving the numbers of theft that took place in all religious institutions.
According to the report, sources said, submitted to the MHA, 199 temples, 14 mosques, three churches and 46 gurdwaras saw theft cases.
“After the Vasant Vihar church incident, we were asked to submit a report on the recent attacks on churches in the Capital. In our report to the MHA we have mentioned that most of the cases of alleged attacks on the churches are either mischief or theft, barring the Dilshad Garden church attack, the investigation report on which is still due,” said a senior police officer.
The Delhi Catholic authorities have reacted strongly to this.
Talking to The Hindu , Fr. Savarimuthu Sankar, spokesperson, Delhi Catholic Archdiocese said: “The police are just trying to cover up the matter by calling these attacks, thefts. There is a difference between theft and vandalism. In Sacred Heart Cathedral, we have thefts almost every week. Going by that rate, the police’s figure should have gone up. But, we do not go on making a hue and cry about all these thefts.”
“Also, the fundamental question is, why are all these thefts happening only now and why only catholic institutions are being attacked?” asked Mr. Sankar.
