A church in South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area was vandalised in the early hours of Monday. This is the fifth incident of its kind in the past two months leading up to the Assembly elections later this week.
The attack on St. Alphonsa’s Church took place between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., but was discovered only when the watchman found the main gate ajar, a little after dawn.
Delhi Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto expressed concern at the frequent attacks. “It is a reflection of the hate campaign and false propaganda by groups whose sole aim is to break the religious harmony and social peace of this great nation,” the Archbishop said of the attack, in a written statement.
He said the attack “reflected on the government and its failure to give protection to minorities and their religious structures.” The police, however, said initial investigation showed that the break-in was motivated by petty theft. The police have, according to a spokesperson, registered a case of theft and are in the process of questioning the area’s residents with recorded criminal antecedents for clues.
Expressing grave concern, the Union Home Ministry wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner asking for a detailed report on the police action so far in other such attacks and seeking details of security provided to other religious places.
Watch: Church in Vasant Kunj area vandalized by miscreants
The previous incidents where churches were found vandalised in Delhi are:
A church in West Delhi's Vikaspuri allegedly vandalised by two men. Church authorities claim that the attack was carried out to stoke communal tension. > Read more
Crib kept on the premises of the Church of Resurrection in Rohini was found charred. Church officials claim someone threw a burning substance on the crib to set it on fire > Read more
Stones were thrown at a Syro-Malabar Catholic Church at Jasola in Okhla when mass was being celebrated around 6.45 p.m. > Read more
Interiors of St. Sebastian’s Church, Dilshad Garden, were destroyed in a fire. Church authorities alleged that it “could be the work of some miscreants”. > Read more
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