Raipur - Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur based in the state capital Raipur said the vandalization of the Sacred Heart Catholic church at Edka village in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh state has nothing to do with religious conversion. He also said that the state machinery failed to act against the attackers giving them a free hand to vandalise the Church.

A mob of 500 people armed with wooden sticks and iron rods marched into the Church, smashing the church’s glass windows, destroyed the church’s altar, crucifix, statues, and strew around consecrated hosts, besides smashing the furniture.

“The attacks have nothing to do with religious conversions as has been made out. It is a clear case of law-and-order problem,” said Archbishop Thakur to UCA News

“The state police did not initiate action against groups that unleashed violence against Christians earlier. Now, they are fearlessly attacking us”.

A group of indigenous animist people was protesting earlier clashes in which some of their people were reportedly injured. The protest turned violent, and a mob barged into the compound of the church.

The mob also vandalized a Marian grotto and the presbytery in the village.

“A tense situation prevails here,” said Father Jomon Devasia, the parish priest of Sacred Heart Church. “The mob destroyed everything, the Church and the presbytery,” he said.

The priest lamented that the more than five decades old Church was rebuilt five years back and now everything inside it had been destroyed.

Many people were injured including District Superintendent of Police Sadanand Kumar sustained head injuries. The area has been in conflict since December.

KCBC condemns attacks on Churches across India
The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) urged governments not to remain silent on incidents of violence against Christians.

Atrocities against Christians in Chhattisgarh and various Indian states should be viewed as organized efforts to create communal strife among the common people with political interests.

Efforts to create communal riots and take political advantage by running hate campaigns, especially before elections, disrupt the unity and integrity of Political parties.

KCBC cautioned against false allegations raised through social media creating a situation where Christians are unable to live safely in various states.

It is a violation of the constitution and a denial of human rights that it is not easy to accept the faith of one's choice and live it in India. KCBC stated that the central and state governments should be ready to bring under the law those who unleash violence in the name of gharwapasi and the organizations that promote such ideas and to create a safe living environment for all religious people.