Mob vandalised Mission Hospital, injured some, caused panic among believers

A mob believed to be Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Sewamsevak Sangh (RSS) activists attacked a christian Mission Hospital near Varanasi, hurting a Pastor and have caused mass damage to the properties of the hospital yesterday.

The authorities at Kacchuwa Mission Hospital near Hindu holy town – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, had organised an Indepedence Day Celebration on 15th August. They had also organised Children's competitions and events in which about 400 Dalit children (formerly untouchables) too took part with their parents. This event was formally informed to the local authorities and the police duly informed.

However, the Bajrang Dal and the RSS activists raised an objection to it and had complained about the event to the local authorities on suspicion of conversion being carried out. The local authorities had investigated the matter and found nothing against the mission hospital of such activities.

This is when the Bajrang Dal and the RSS activists became unfuriated and they gathered their cadres from the vicinity of Varanasi, a temple town in Uttar Pradesh. And a huge mob attacked the hospital at around 10:00am on Friday, the 17th August 2007. They went berserk and destroyed properties worth several thousand of rupees.

When Brother Raju tried to reason with them and requested them to speak to them to resolve the matter through amiacable dialogue he was attacked and roughed up that left him with deep wound above his left eyebrow. Pastor Joy also tried to intervene but he too was beaten up.

The attackers shouted anti–Dalit and anti–Christian slogans causing much panic in the area. Dalits and Christians in the area are terrified at the sound of the slogans raised by these hardcore activists who shouted anti–Dalit and anti–Christian slogans.

The local police reached the spot only to spot the remains of the damage properties. The local magistrate too arrive later and the statements were being taken.

Lately, there have been misunderstanding of the activities of any Christian establishements by hardcore activists like the RSS and Bajrang Dal alike. Authorities must make sure that peace prevails at any cost.