Protest in Delhi against 'attacks' on churches

Agitators detained before they can reach Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence

Scores of people from Christian community today staged a protest here seeking action against those involved in the recent spate of "attacks" on churches in Delhi.

During the protests outside the Sacred Heart Cathedral in central Delhi, few people were detained by police for alleged violation of prohibitory orders.

"We have detained the protesters and they have been taken to Parliament Street police station. They did not have permission to protest outside the church and we cannot allow them to protest on public roads," Joint Commissioner of Police Mukesh Meena told reporters here.

Few Christian groups had organised the protest alleging "lack of serious action in recent attacks on churches".

They said they would march to Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence but were detained prior to that, as according to police, "nobody can hold demonstration like this and nobody has the right to go to the Home Minister's residence just like that".

Father Savarimathu Sankar, spokesperson for the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese, said, "We only want justice and we want protection of our churches. We are not demanding it as Christians but as citizens of India.

"We have given representations to the President and the Prime Minister but there has been no follow up from their side. This is the fifth incident and it is apparent that the incidents were of communal nature."

In the fifth such incident since November, a church was allegedly vandalised by some unidentified persons earlier this week in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj area, sparking outrage among the Christian community which alleged that it is part of a "hate campaign".