Blasphemous picture of Jesus: calm returns to Punjab, state to repair damaged Christian property

Fr. K Thomas, from the Order Friars Minor, director of the Francis Ashram at Batala in Punjab, in northwestern India, spoke to AsiaNews about a meeting held yesterday between Christian leaders and officials of the State of Punjab District and Batala. The state, confirms the religious, has agreed to pay compensation for the damage incurred during the recent sectarian violence. At about 4 pm, he adds, "the state has asked for a clarification meeting between the various Christian denominations and Hindu groups, to bring peace and reconciliation."

The Franciscan friar, who is also chairman of the All Pastors Association of Batala, explained cause at the roots of the clashes between Christian and Hindu fundamentalists. "On February 20, all Christian denominations – he highlights - had organized a protest march in response to the degrading image of Jesus.  The demonstration degenerated when a group of young Christians called for the closure of shops in the area. They also burnt a motorbike to vent their frustration".

In response, the Hindu fundamentalist groups including the Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP)  and the Hindū ParisadRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) mobilized their leaders, inciting the crowd and prompting them to retaliate. They burned the Church of the Epiphany, a former Anglican church, and now belonging to the churches of North India (CNI). The fundamentalists set fire to furniture, furnishings and burnt the outer walls. After destroying the building, they shot the Rev. Maurice, 48 years and 15 year old son Dennis, who lived in the presbytery. Both are in hospital for medical treatment.

In a separate attack, the extremists damaged the Church of the Salvation Army (Mukti Fauj), breaking chairs and desecrating the shrine. Police have arrested four young Christians and four Hindu leaders charged with inciting unrest. Security forces also imposed a curfew – which has been partly lifted- and have banned the Christians from celebrating Masses or Sunday Services. Sources close to investigators confirm that the judiciary has opened a case on the incident, the young protagonists of the riots, however, have been released.  

In the aftermath of the attacks, Mgr. Anil Coutté Bishop of Jalandhar condemned the violence committed by young Christians, stressing, however, that he understands their state of mind, wounded by the outrageous image of Christ. "Too often - says the prelate - Christians have been portrayed in movies as dissolute people and, despite everything, they stayed calm. However, when some people with a clear political aim target something so precious, that involves deep our faith, the young people will respond”. He finally adds that he is "concerned" about the depiction of Christ, but has renewed "the call for peace and forgiveness."

The violence was sparked by the publication, initially in a text book for elementary school and then later in other media, of an image of Jesus depicted with a beer bottle in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Published by Skyline Publications in New Delhi and adopted in schools in India, it defined Christ as an "idol". The blasphemous image was first seen by a group of Catholic nuns  from Shillong in the state of Meghalaya, who appealed to the competent authorities to withdraw the offensive image from the school texts. Their request was immediately welcomed by the state government, but not by fundamentalists, who posted several copies of the image in the streets of the district.