Blasphemous graffiti shocks Church in Shillong

The Catholic Church in Shillong has expressed shock at the blasphemous graffiti of Jesus Christ and Pope painted by unknown persons on walls of key government buildings on Friday.

The graffiti work done with a stencil overnight depicted Jesus Christ and the Pope with blasphemous remarks, and alongside it were also caricatures of state politicians and Governor RS Mooshahary.

Police have registered a case under section 295 (A) of the Indian Penal Code for deliberate and malicious act intended to hurt the religious feeling of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

"It is a serious matter. It could be the work of mischief mongers and we are investigating it," said Superintendent of Police (East Khasi Hills District) AR Mawthoh.

According to media sources, the graffiti were found on the walls of the Raj Bhavan, the main and additional secretariat buildings and Catholic Church-run educational institutions.

Condemning the act, the Archbishop of Shillong, Dominic Jala, said that the Church was shocked and was unsure of the motive behind it.

Rev Jala called for an emergency meeting during when anguish was expressed at the attempts to defame the Catholic Church and hurt religious sentiments of its faithful.

The graffiti on the Don Bosco statue had stenciled picture of crucified Jesus with a writing-Rs 9.26, 36,105.80 p on the top. Another graffiti had a picture of the Pope with a line below saying 'Arrest Him'.

The graffiti's raised questions on Uranium issue, which is a sensitive issue in the state.

Early this year, there was a controversy over the depiction of Jesus with beer in one hand and cigarette in the other in cursive writing books for primary classes in Shillong.

The blasphemous picture was strongly condemned by church bodies.