1 week ago
Christian Forum Holds Bengal Peace Rally Over Alleged Attacks
A Christian group called Bangiya Christiya Parisheba organized a peaceful march in Thakurpukur.
The group says about 2,000 people joined it.
They are worried about alleged attacks and disruptions involving Christians and churches.
They described incidents at prayer services in Falta and Sakherbazar.
They also alleged that a funeral in Memari was disrupted.
The group said churches in Hemtabad and Subhasgram were vandalized.
Organizers said police sometimes detained their members instead of helping them.
They plan to hold more peace rallies across Bengal.
They also plan a larger gathering at Esplanade on November 5.
Bangiya Christiya Parisheba held a peace rally in Thakurpukur on Sunday afternoon.
The forum said around 2,000 Christians joined the march between two churches.
Members alleged disruptions at prayer services and a funeral in recent weeks.
The forum also cited alleged vandalism at churches in Hemtabad and Subhasgram.
Organizers said they plan 100 rallies across Bengal and a November 5 gathering at Esplanade.
- Who
- Bangiya Christiya Parisheba, a forum representing Christians of all denominations, organized the rally.
- What
- A peace rally was held to protest alleged attacks, harassment, disruptions and vandalism affecting Christians and churches.
- Where
- The march ran from the Assembly of God Church near the MG Road-James Long Sarani crossing to Thakurpukur Sacred Heart Church, with other alleged incidents reported in Falta, Sakherbazar, Memari, Hemtabad and Subhasgram.
- When
- The rally took place on Sunday afternoon; the forum cited incidents on August 4, August 9, August 16 and the preceding Friday.
- Why
- The forum said the rallies were needed to seek peace and protest alleged abuse, humiliation and attacks against the Christian community.
Key facts
- Organizer
- Bangiya Christiya Parisheba
- Estimated attendance
- Around 2,000 community members, according to the forum
- Rally route
- Between the Assembly of God Church near MG Road-James Long Sarani and Thakurpukur Sacred Heart Church
- Planned rallies
- The forum said it would hold 100 peace rallies across Bengal in the next few months
- Planned congregation
- A mega congregation is planned at Esplanade on November 5
- Alleged incidents
- The forum cited disruptions at prayer services and a funeral, as well as alleged church vandalism
- Police criticism
- The forum said police detained its members in some cases instead of assisting them
Quotes
Debashis Mukherjee
Member of Bangiya Christiya Parisheba
“On August 16, a bishop was harassed while attending a prayer service in Falta. Unknown persons entered the household where the prayer service was underway and disrupted it. We had to call the police”
telegraphindia.com
“They disrupted the funeral and even forcibly brought the body out of the grave. This is the utmost humiliation and disrespect to the person and his family”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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