News Analysis India

Tag: Church

  • Miscreants vandalise statue at Holy Redeemer Church in Haryana’s Ambala

    By ANI

    AMBALA: Some unidentified miscreants vandalised the statue of Jesus Christ at Holy Redeemer Church in Haryana’s Ambala district on Saturday night, said police.

    As soon as the information about the incident was received, the police team reached the spot for investigation. On the basis of the CCTV footage, the police are trying to identify miscreants.

    Giving information about the incident, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ambala Pooja Dabla said that information about this incident has been received in the morning, after which immediately the teams of District Superintendent of Police (DSP), Station House Officer (SHO) Cantt and CIA reached the spot for investigation.

    According to the police officials, two persons have been seen entering the church late in the night. The police suspect that the incident was carried out with the intention of hurting religious sentiments.

    “We are examining CCTV footage to identify the culprits. The miscreants will be identified and rounded up soon. A thorough investigation will be conducted,” said Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ambala Pooja Dabla.

    Father Anthony of the church said that late at night two youths came inside by climbing the wall of the church and broke the statue of Lord Jesus Christ.

    “This church is the oldest historical church in Ambala, which was built in the year 1843. To date, such an incident has not happened. Last night this incident happened around 12:30 am. The church is closed early due to the lockdown. Two youths came inside by climbing the wall of the church and broke the statue of Lord Jesus Christ,” said Father Anthony.

    Further investigation is underway. 

  • Most churches built in Chhattisgarh during BJP regime: CM Bhupesh Baghel

    By Express News Service

    RAIPUR: The ruling Congress and opposition BJP in Chhattisgarh are now holding each other responsible for the existing number of Churches in the state. 

    CM Bhupesh Baghel had on Wednesday dismissed BJP’s allegations of rising religious conversion under his government and said the maximum number of churches were constructed under the BJP rule in the state.

    “Media reports on BJP Chintan Shivir highlight that the 15-year misrule of Raman Singh is being discussed. Religious conversion is also part of this discussion. Records show that the maximum number of churches were constructed under BJP rule in Chhattisgarh,” Baghel had said addressing a media query regarding BJP’s allegation.

    “BJP is desperate to return to the power in the state and so they are endevouring to raise the issue of religious conversion which they also discussed in their Chintan shivir (brainstorming session) of their senior leaders at Bastar. But in Chhattisgarh, the maximum number of churches were built during earlier 15-year-rule of Raman Raj (BJP)”, the CM said and claimed that any religious conversion if happening is only voluntarily. 

    “Let them bring a single case of religious conversion either by force or allurement, the state government will take action”, Baghel challenged the BJP.

    However, the opposition strongly countered Baghel saying that when the Congress leaders were knowing about the growing numbers of churches, why they had not raised the issue earlier.

    “Everyone knows under whose regime there has been an increase in religious conversion or the churches. Why the Congress leaders never discussed these issues in the Assembly or elsewhere? As an opposition we deliberated on religious conversion in the House and demanded to put a stop to it,” said Raman Singh, former CM, and BJP national vice-president.

    The Christian community is not happy with both the political parties for turning their worshipping place as the “political focal point”. 

    “It’s really sad. All these arguments seem to be the politically-motivated game plan. The Christian community of the state and church was used as a football by the parties. The number of Christians had actually decreased as per the census. So where does the question of religious conversion arise? Raking up such an issue may give the parties some short-term political gain but without ensuring peace how can the nation progress? What the church, that never receives any government funds, has to do with its development?”, asked Victor Henry, the Arch Bishop (Chhattisgarh) while talking to The New Indian Express.

    “Is our religious place of worship illegal or unconstitutional structure and building it is a criminal act? The Christians are deeply upset and feel insecure over such political feuds seen in the number of churches in Chhattisgarh. What’s the problem if more churches came up during the BJP’s rule”,  asserted Arun Pannalal, president of Chhattisgarh Christian Forum.

  • Supreme Court adjourns plea challenging ‘forced’ sacramental confessions in Church

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Friday adjourned by three weeks a plea challenging allegedly forced practice of sacramental confessions in the Church.

    The top court was hearing a plea by five women stating that forcing compulsory practice on a believer was violative of the fundamental right to freedom of religion under Article 25 of the Constitution.

    The plea has arrayed Union of India and Kerala as parties in the case.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde, S A Bopanna and V Subramanian deferred the matter after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi sought more time.

    Rohatgi submitted that the case encompasses important constitutional issues such as whether confession was an essential religious practice.

    “As prayed for, three weeks’ time is granted to the petitioners to amend the instant writ petition. Put up thereafter,” the bench said.

    The apex court had in December sought responses from the Centre and the Kerala government on a separate plea challenging the validity of alleged practice of forced, compulsory and mandatory sacramental confessions in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

    The top court was initially of the view that the plea challenging the religious practice should be heard by the Kerala High Court.

    Later it issued notice in the case on being apprised that the apex court, in a judgement of 2017, had restrained all civil courts and the high court from entertaining any dispute related to the 1934 Constitution of Malankara Association.