Church suspects fanatics behind burning of Jabalpur Cathedral

Two unidentified Hindu fanatics set fire to the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul Cathedral in Jabalpur on Thursady.

"The two unidentified persons entered the church by breaking the glass of the window and tried to set ablaze the church with the help of a candle," city superintendent of police Raghavendra Yadav said.

The fire was put out before it caused extensive damages to the 150–year–old Cathedral Church. But its altar and windows were burnt irreparably. The fire was sighted by some people near the church and informed it to the priest in charge.

Nuns staying near the Cathedral saw the duo fleeing the spot on a motorcycle but could not see their faces since it was dark, according to a police official.

Last month, an 86 year old Church was burnt by suspected Bajrang Dal members. Following the incident, the district president of the Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh, Lalu Stephan said, "The entire episode is planned and it is done by the VHP and Bajrang Dal. Their involvement in the entire episode is easily suspected.”

Christian groups meanwhile have demanded a ban on Hindu Bajrang Dal and VHP groups. The ongoing violence in Mangalore, Orissa and other states has been instigated by the radical Hindu organizations, accusing Christian missionaries of conversion.