India News

By Felix Anthony 

Guwahati, 13 July : The Catholic Bishops in North East India have condemned the church demolition in Delhi on Monday, 12 July 2021.

It is shocking and sad news, said Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati and the President of North East India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC).

The Little Flower Church in Lado Sarai was demolished by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation citing encroachment of government’s agricultural land “by some people by instalment of religious structures”.

Speaking on behalf of NEIRBC the Archbishop said, “Demolition of the Church in Delhi has hurt the religious sentiment of the peace loving Christian community not only in Delhi but across the country. The number of such incidents has been on the rise in the recent past, including many parts of North East India.”

Citing the stay order in place since 2015, the NEIRBC President said, “Why such a hurry to demolish a place of worship that is in place for more than ten years? The Municipal Corporation should have given sufficient time to the Church personnel to take legal recourse before the demolition. Such a hurried action has not only hurt the religious sentiments of the people but also betrays the hidden agenda of the local administration”.

The land where the church stood was donated to the Diocese of Faridabad Syro-Malabar Diocese 12 years ago for the religious purpose of some 1500 local Catholics.

Recalling how the blocking of a Church construction in Arunachal Pradesh and demolition order for churches in Manipur had caused protest and unrest in the north east region, the Archbishop said the demolition of church in Delhi may set a bad precedent and embolden the land mafia.

“We appeal to the government and the municipal corporation not to violate the religious sentiments of the people and not to disturb the religious harmony of the country”, the Archbishop requested.

We pray that peace, justice and religious harmony may prevail in our country, the Archbishop said.