Opposition sees conspiracy in East Delhi church blaze

NEW DELHI: Opposition members in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday raised the issue of burning down of a church in East Delhi and alleged that it was part of an ‘attempt to communalise the atmosphere’. Raising the issue during zero hour, CPM’s P Karunakaran condemned the incident and narrated how the church’s entire interior was gut-ted in the incident. He also alleged that the police reached the spot very late.

Congress and other opposition parties too condemned the incident.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naudu condemned the incident too and said he would urge the Union Home Minister to order a probe. Thousands of Christians protested in front of the Delhi Police headquarters demanding a quick probe into the fire that gutted St Sebastian’s Catholic Church in Dilshad Garden in mysterious circumstances. Police said a special investigation team of the force will investigate the matter.

The over 5,000 protesters included Catholics, Protestants, Baptists, and Methodists. The protesters gathered around 10 am outside the ITO headquarters of Delhi Police and raised slogans demanding an immediate high-level inquiry into Monday’s fire. The caretakers of the church have alleged the involvement of some unidentified miscreants.

Protestors, including women and children, raised slogans of “We want justice” and held up placards with messages like “Pray and let others pray”. Delhi diocese Archbishop Anil Couto, who had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a judicial inquiry into the fire incident, said Home Minister Rajnath Singh had given him an appointment on Wednesday.

“The protestors, who also demanded security in Delhi churches, were reportedly assured by the police that their demands would be met. Special Commissioner of Police Deepak Mishra, accompanied by other senior officials, assured them that a proper inquiry will be conducted into the case. Mishra informed the protestors that a special investigation team has been formed to probe the incident.

He assured the people of deployment of police at every Delhi church function.