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India: Christians Live Under Threat In Housing Area Nuns Set Up For Poor PDF Print E-mail
Written by UCA News   
Wednesday, 09 April 2008
Christians living in a residential area Catholic nuns set up 12 years ago for poor people, which they share with Hindus, say they now face threats from Hindu fanatic groups.

"We are being terrorized for practicing our faith. We are threatened over holding prayers in our homes," Francinia Nelson Albert, one of the Christians, told UCA News. Albert belongs to one of about 160 Catholic families living in the Vijaynagar area of Indore, the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh state, about 800 kilometers south of New Delhi.

St. Joseph Sevika Sanstha (congregation of the maids of St. Joseph), a local congregation of Catholic nuns, helped finance and set up the settlement comprising four blocks of two-story buildings in 1996. The owners pay the nuns in installments. Hindus own 30 percent of the 300 one-bedroom apartments. All the other residents are Christians.

Sister Johani Ekka, superior general of the congregation, told UCA News that Hindus and Christians had lived in harmony in the area. But over the past four years, Hindu hard-liners have abused, assaulted and threatened Christians several times, the 61-year-old tribal nun reported.

The trouble, she said, started with some Hindus objecting to public prayers at a small Marian grotto in the area. This turned into a major dispute, and Hindus demolished the grotto around 18 months ago.

Albert cited the latest attack as evidence Hindu groups now object even to Christians praying in their own homes. She and her husband were abused and assaulted on March 26 night for praying together with four other Catholic families, she said.

Albert's husband, Nelson, told UCA News fanatics from outside have brainwashed Hindus in the residential area. "We can't pray loud. We can't pray together or practice our faith in the open. There is no religious freedom," he said. He added they get little help from Indore diocese.

The diocese is based in the town, where several anti-Christian incidents have occurred since the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian people's party) came to power in Madhya Pradesh five years ago. Since then, Church leaders and others say, attacks against and intolerance of Christians have increased in the state.

The local parish priest, Father Justin D'Souza, told UCA News half his parish's more than 300 families live in the residential area the nuns built. He described the incidents as "really worrisome" and said the parish and diocese have "taken up the matter with the local administration," which has promised "all protection and cooperation" for Christians.

According to Victor Francis, president of Indore Catholic Sabha (forum), "the frequent attacks" on Catholics in the area worry everyone. He told UCA News Christian leaders have discussed the issue with local leaders of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS, national volunteer corps), the umbrella body of Hindu nationalist groups. RSS leaders have denied any role in the troubles and agreed to help restore peace in the colony, Francis said.

Father Joseph Vallassery, Indore diocese's public relations officer, told UCA News the diocese has been trying to resolve the matter at the parish level. "Religious freedom is being violated and we are keeping a close watch on the situation there. We cannot challenge the situation openly, as it will bring more problems," he explained.

Local RSS leader Rajeev Hardania insisted to UCA News that his people are "not in any way involved in the attacks." He charged these are the work of "some other people to defame our organization."

Hardania also maintained his organization wants people to live in peace and harmony. But he said he has "information that some conversion bid is going on there in the name of prayer meetings," suggesting this could be the source of problems. "All religions should be respected and no one should woo others into their religion," he added.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 April 2008 )