The Hindutva mob hoisted a Hindutva saffron flag, carrying a picture of Ayodhya’s Ram temple, on a church in a city of Madhya Pradesh state in India.
The communal incident gained widespread attention after a video surfaced on social media platforms capturing Hindutva terrorists placing the Hindu flags atop the church amidst chants of “Jai Shri Ram.”
The church, established in 2016 according to its pastor, Narbu Amaliyar, serves as a place of worship for approximately 30-40 people who gather for prayers every Sunday. Pastor Amaliyar expressed shock at the incident, stating that this happened in day time prayer. Around 25 Hindutva members arrived out of nowhere, chanting Jai Sri Ram slogans.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, local police have refused to recognise the targeted building as a place of worship, consequently not filing a case.
Superintendent of Police Agam Jain claimed, “This was a person’s home. It wasn’t a church. So we didn’t file an FIR.”
Pastor Amaliyar contested the police stance. “It is a church I started back in 2016. Every Sunday, 30-40 people come here for prayers. It’s a place of worship. My home is separate,” he said.
This incident has raised concerns about religious tolerance and respect for places of worship in the city.
Meanwhile, a scuffle erupted between two communities (Muslims and Hindutva RSS-BJP) in Mira Road Maha town in Mumbai city.
A group of people had taken out a procession of nearly half-a-dozen vehicles with saffron flags depicting Lord Ram Temple. When it was passing through a minority-dominated area, some Hindu persons raised objections leading to heated arguments and clashes. In the clashes, one person sustained minor injury due to “usage of knife” while Hindutva group smashed window panes of several vehicles with sticks and rods, and also pelted stones.
A strong police presence has been deployed in the town on Monday to avert any law and order problems.—KMS
