Hundreds of Christians assaulted in Majauli island

2009 seems to be turning similar to last year for the Christian community. Hundreds of faithful Catholics including dozens of priests and nuns who were returning from an ordination ceremony last week was waylaid and attacked by a group of Hindu mob.

On January 24, over 400 Catholics traveled to Majauli island in Assam to celebrate the ordination of Deacon Hemanto Pegu, who was the first Catholic priest from the Mishing community.

After the ceremony, as they reached Kamalabari Charali in Majuli subdivision, they were threatened and assaulted by a group of people, who accused them of converting tribals and threatened to cut them "into pieces."

"Father Caesar Henry, the principal of St. Antony's High School, Mariani and Father G P Amalraj, the principal of St. Xavier's High School were pulled out from their vehicle and manhandled at the Kamalabari petrol pump. They (the group) kicked them and punched them in their stomach," Father William Horo, the media director of Dibrugarh diocese in Assam, said.

He further alleged that the group used abusive language as they continued shouting, "They are missionaries, beat them and kill them."

The prelate clarified that they were not on a mission to convert tribals, adding, we "were using the opportunity, when the first Mishing priest was getting ordained, to make their first ever visit to the world-famous Majuli island."

Dibrugarh diocesan priest Father Caesar Henry condemned the incident and said, "Do we not have the right to move from place to place without being harassed and persecuted because we belong to a group and profess a faith? The constitution provides freedom and equal rights to all. Does our great Gurus and Sages teach us to abuse or ill-treat innocent and simple people who go to attend social and religious celebrations? Do we not have the right to profess and practice a religion at our choice?"

"This unacceptable harassment meted out to the innocent Christian community has gravely hurt the religious sentiments of the Christians. We strongly protest the gross violation of the human rights and dignity of the people."

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) clearly is in no mood to remain silent. It demanded strong action against the attackers. "They (the attackers) were from a radical Hindu group, led by a seer."

"We are concerned about the development in the area. The government should take strong action against the attackers," CBCI spokesman Rev Babu Joseph said.

Father Joseph said the Church in India is concerned about the development in the area. "The government should take strong action against the attackers," he added.