Evangelical Pastor attacked twice, Christians seek Police Action

Recent Two attacks on an evangelical Pastor here, who often conduct larges–scale public meetings, have shaken the pastor and his family, Christians seek intervention of police.

Complaints have been lodged against the culprits but police are buying time to take necessary actions. The incidents have sparked outrage among the Christian community in Khadki, Dapodi, Bopodi and several parts of Pimpri–Chinchwad from where the church draws its sizeable membership.

Pastor Peter David Silway 38, a residence of Bopodi, often conducts prayer service at the Vineyard Workers’ Church he co–founded with his wife Pastor Jayashree in Dapodi which is attended by some 20,000 people from all faiths for physical healing on Saturday a part from other usual Church activities.

The first attack came on June 8 this year when five–six youths went to the residence of Pastor Peter David Silway in Bopodi with a bouquet. As the pastor stepped forward to receive the bouquet, the youths pounced on him and started beating him with hockey sticks. When the pastor screamed for help, the youths fled. The pastor’s family took him to the hospital and registered a complaint with the Khadki police.

The second attack was on August 25, a car belonging to the pastor was pelted with stones by two motor–cycle borne youths on the bridge linking Dapodi and Bopodi. The car suffered severe damages. A complaint was lodged with Bhosari police station.

The church office–bearers allege that the attack was carried out by certain persons who are alleging that the church was indulging in converting people to Christianity. Denying the charges, Pastor Silway said, “The church has never indulged in such activities. There is no question of converting anybody to Christianity.” He said the functioning of the church was transparent and anybody can cross–check if they suspected something wrong was happening at the church. Without naming any political organisation, Pastor Silway said, “There are some five to six people who are instigating the local people against the church.Otherwise nobody is complaining.”

Pastor Silway conducts “healing prayer” every Saturday which is attended by nearly 20,000 people. “These people are not only from Christian community, but come from different communities and with the objective of getting healed and be blessed,” he said.

Stating that “healing prayer” is aimed at warding off the bad times from lives of the seriously ill, the mentally–depressed, the debt–ridden and the broken families, Alstair Viegas, another pastor, said, “It is a prayer of hope...nothing else. After the prayer, everybody returns home. There is no conversion held neither is anybody allured to convert.”

Anand Salvi, a faithful, said, “Despite our complaints, the police have taken no action against the culprits responsible for the attack on the pastor. If no action is taken in a week, we will be forced to take to the streets.” Kamlesh Pillay, another member, said, “People who come to the church seeking peace are Hindus, Muslims, Sindhis and Sikhs. If there was any conversion activity, then they would have protested.”

Dapodi Shiv Sena president Kailas Jadhav said local residents are protesting because during Saturday’s healing prayers nearly 20,000 people gather at the church, creating traffic chaos in the entire Dapodi. “Local residents are hassled by a such huge gathering. They want people to come in batches.”

Jadhav said some Hindu groups suspect that the church members are carrying out conversion activity not in the church, but in villages outside Pune and other parts of the State. “"It is up to the church to clarify the issue. The church should take people into confidence. If such a thing is happening it should be stop forthwith.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police Chandrashekhar Daithankar said since he was busy with the work of police recruitments, he needed time to look into the matter. "After September 5, I will be investigating the issue,” he said.

ACP M U Karjatkar said due to Saturday’s huge gatherings, local residents are complaining. "Traffic jam, pollution, hygiene problems have cropped up outside the church...that's why residents are agitated. We ave asked the church members to take necessary action." He said investigation was in progress in the pastor's attack case.

Lately, attacks on Christians have escalated all over India. Christians are falsely accused and beaten up. It is the high time the concern authorities take note of these incidents and restore people’s faith on them.