Follow
The series of crimes in India continue: a nun was raped and churches ransacked by Hindu supporters. On Tuesday, March 17, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concern regarding this recent event but his words won’t make Christian groups feel safe considering the rightwing Hindu government under his leadership.
The violent event took place in the weekend in the West Bengal state where a nun in her 70s was raped by a group of men. The gang attacked the Convent of Jesus and Mary School situated in the Nadia district, 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of Kolkata, the state’s capital. They have also stolen various holy items while destroying others.
Another Church in the northern part of the Haryana state was also pillaged, the gang leaving a flag behind. The name of the Hindu god Rama was written on it.
Although rape is a very frequent crime in India, the reason for choosing a nun as their victim is unknown. But recently, the number of attacks aimed towards India’s Christian community has risen. About 2 percent of India’s 1.3 billion people are Christians.
As one pastor from Bangalore, a city in the south of India, said:
“There is a sense of insecurity that the state will not protect us. The incidents are happening all over India.”
Modi won the elections in May due to his promise to improve the country’s economy and annihilate corruption. But he made his debut into public life as a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) organization, “the ideological parent group” of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party. There are many rumors regarding the RSS stirring up hatred among members against Muslims and Christians
Many Hindu rightwing groups took his electoral victory as an opportunity to put their projects into action.
Events started in December when the rightwing Hindu groups began its collaboration with the BJP. So began a series of ceremonies where Christians and Muslims were converted to Hinduism. The events were entitled “homecomings”, representatives saying they were “reconverting” people with Hindu ancestors.
Not all events were this peaceful. Soon after the reconversion, many churches were vandalized and some groups like the RSS together with its allies (Vishwa Hindu Parishad and World Hindu Council) implemented more aggressive tactics of persuasion.
People now hope the PM will prove himself worthy of their votes.
Image Source: Capital OTC
