NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTION 99
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

Outrage over missionary's murder

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

The brutal murder of Christian missionary Ashish Prabash at his residence near Jalandhar in Punjab on Saturday has added to the anguish and anger of the Christian community.

This is the second murder in less than a week. On June 6, a Christian priest Brother George was murdered by armed miscreants at his house in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. There have also been the five bomb blasts at four churches in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa during the week.

Reacting sharply to the latest incident, the All India Christian Council alleged that, "Prabash's killing is part of a larger pattern and design" and predicted "major bloodshed of Christians because of the hate campaign unleashed by the Sangh Parivar ." The council also demanded action from Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on the incidents, which indicate that "things have gone out of control."

In a statement Monday, the council said: "Even as Christian leaders are scheduled to meet the prime minister on Monday evening, the community is aghast at the frequent attacks against workers and missionaries. The killing of Prabash, an orphan and a worker with the respected Christian organisation - Campus Crusade - is part of a larger conspiracy against the community."

The council regretted that so far, the government has done nothing to stop the attacks. "If the government is serious, it must get to the root of the problem and arrest the perpetrators," it demanded.

The statement was issued by Dr Joseph D' Souza, president. AICC, Rev G Samuel, chairman, AP, AICC, David Simeon, president, Federation of Karnataka Christian Organisations and Association, Dr K P Yohanan, vice-chairman, Christian Council, Kerala, Pastor D Mohan, pastor, Assemblies of God Church, Chennai and John Dayal, New Delhi.

"We demand the arrest of all those involved," said Dr.Samuel, who is part of the delegation meeting the prime minister. "We agree with the Christian and Hindu leaders in several parts of the country, who have predicted further bloodshed of Christians," he added. "This is a direct result of the apathy the government has shown from the time of the burning of churches in Gujarat," he said.

The council announced that Christians in Hyderabad would go on an hunger strike soon in protest against the attacks. The prime minister is scheduled to visit the city on Wednesday. A meeting of Christian leaders in Chennai on Thursday and Friday will decide the future course of action.

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report