Vandalizing of churches: NHRC issues notice to Delhi government

NEW DELHI: National Human Rights Commission today issued notice to Delhi Government and sought a report over reported vandalizing of churches in the national capital.

According to an official statement released today, the Commission has observed that these frequent attacks on the religious institutions of the minority community, if true, may violate the fundamental right to freedom of religion and cause immense harm to the social fabric. The culprits involved in these incidents should be brought to book.

NHRC has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Delhi Government, calling for a report on these incidents within four weeks. He has also been directed to send a report about the action proposed to be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the National Capital.

The notice was issued after the Commission took suo motu cognizance of a media report that a church in Vikaspuri area of Delhi was vandalized on January 14.

Prior to this, reportedly, four other incidents of attacks and suspected arson at Christian religious institutions have happened in Dilshad Garden, Rohini and Jasola areas of Delhi since December 1.