Twitter
Advertisement

Political' hand behind attack on Panvel church, hints Eknath Khadse

The state government, which is under fire over the recent attack on a church at New Panvel, has hinted that people with political links or a foreign hand may be involved in it.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The state government, which is under fire over the recent attack on a church at New Panvel, has hinted that people with political links or a foreign hand may be involved in it.

"I suspect, though I have no confirmation, that the hand of a person with political links cannot be denied (in this)," said revenue minister Eknath Khadse, while speaking in the state legislative assembly on Monday.

Khadse, who also holds charge of the minority welfare department, also hinted that the attackers could have links abroad, or may be local anti-social elements. "We will ensure that those responsible are brought to book," he said, adding that the state government would protect the minorities.

The Saint George Catholic Church at New Panvel was attacked by three unidentified men in the wee hours of Saturday. The men hurled stones into the compound and broke the glass enclosure of the statue of the Catholic saint after whom the church is named. This comes close on the heels of the shocking rape of a 72-year-old nun at a convent school in Ranaghat, West Bengal, besides attacks on churches in other parts of the country that have sparked fears among Christians and minorities at large.

"The state government has the responsibility of protecting all citizens regardless of categories like minority and majority. It will take precautions to ensure that incidents which have happened elsewhere are not repeated here," Khadse said. The government will make a statement in the house before the conclusion of the ongoing budget session.

However, Khadse's passing reference to temples being destroyed and masjids being unsafe led to immediate protests by Opposition members. Even as some members from the treasury benches were on their feet, former minister Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP) urged the government to show more sensitivity. He alleged that the issue had been replied to in a 'political manner' and Opposition members staged a walk-out in protest.

Earlier, Jitendra Avhad (NCP-Mumbra) and leader of the opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil (Congress), had raised the issue. "The atmosphere across the country is being polluted," said Avhad, noting that churches had been attacked in places in Delhi. He referred to an interview by former Punjab DGP Julio Ribeiro where he had spoken about rising insecurity in the Christian community.

"While the state's chief (Devendra Fadnavis) is saying one thing, the police are doing something different," said Patil, adding that insecurity among minorities was on the rise.

A Christian community delegation met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis with BJP legislators on Monday. Fadnavis said he had spoken to police officials and asked them to nab the church attack culprits at the earliest. He promised the allocation of fresh land for burial grounds.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement