A plea to protect them as hundreds of indigenous Christians continue to live in the forest amid rising sectarian violence has been sent to the state chief minister by Christians in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh. On March 1, reports UCA News.
A delegation from the Ecclesia United Ecumenical Forum (EUF) met with the state governor, Bhupesh Bagel, and urged him to take “immediate steps to end the violence,” said local Catholic priest Fr. Johnson Thekkadaiel.
“The brutal attacks against Christians in Chhattisgarh, especially in the tribal areas, continue unabated,” said Fr. Tekkadayil, who was part of the delegation, met with Bagel.
Christians in the indigenous-dominated Bastar region have reportedly witnessed unprecedented violence. Forms of violence include social boycotts, assaults, parades of naked men and women, and attempts to seize land belonging to Christians.
An increase in violence in the last six months has forced more than 1,000 Christians to leave their homes for fear of losing their lives.
The state government, led by the opposition Congress Party, claims to be secular, but church leaders say the government is failing to protect Christians.
The government claims that the administration has brought peace to the area and that the Christians who left their homes have already returned. He also claimed that strict penalties were applied against perpetrators of anti-Christian violence.
However, Christian leaders say the government’s actions are not enough to guarantee religious freedom. “Hundreds of Christians still live in the open fields without food, shelter or clothing. They cannot return to their homes for fear of being attacked and killed.”, – sure about. The kkadaiil.
“Churches cannot open. It is also reported that the police do not allow Christians to gather in their homes to pray.”– he said.
“Christians continue to be persecuted, tortured and maimed in this tribal region and threatened to renounce their faith in Christ or leave their homes and villages.”the delegation said in a statement delivered to Prime Minister Bagel.
The elected village body “tells them what they believe, where they can work, live or move,” according to a statement released to the media. He points out that these bodies violate basic human rights and his constitutional rights.
“Women and children are being stripped naked and physically abused” for violating his orders banning Christian worship, he said.
“Christians are not allowed to bury their dead. The attackers dig up the buried body and force the Christians to remove it from their lands and villages. Supposedly, Christians are forced to drink alcohol and participate in pagan rituals.”says the statement.
Village merchants are prohibited from selling Christian food, rations, medicine and other goods. “Christians are also prohibited from drawing water from public wells”says.
“Christian churches and homes are being attacked, looted and demolished. The legal land documents of the Christians are taken away and burned to the ground.”says the statement.
Christians are also being arrested and sent to prison without even filing a police report, “and only a few are released after a few weeks without any explanation for their arrest or imprisonment,” the delegation said in a statement.
“Christians in Chhattisgarh have become pariahs in their state and continue to live in fear,” – says the message.
Father Thekkadayil said the state prime minister assured him of his support to restore peace and harmony in the region.
On January 2, Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur of Raipur turned to the Chief Minister for protection for Christians after the Sacred Heart Church in Narayanpur district was vandalized. The mob destroyed everything inside the church, including the crucifix, as part of the ongoing violence against Christians.
Christians make up less than 2% of the state’s nearly 30 million people, most of whom are Hindus or followers of local pagan tribal cults.
Source: Rossa Primavera
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.