Udaipur bishop says no to confrontation after Islamists beheaded a tailor

The victim was attacked in his shop for defending on social media a BJP politician who sparked a row after making negative comments about the prophet Mohammed on TV. For Bishop Ganawa, Christians “stand for religious tolerance, dialogue and peaceful co-existence among all communities. I pray that good sense will prevail among us all.”

Udaipur (AsiaNews) – Bishop John Ganawa of Udaipur has issued an appeal for peace and dialogue following yesterday’s gruesome murder of a tailor by Islamic extremists in the city of Udaipur (Rajahstan).

Kanhaiya Lal was attacked and beheaded by two men yesterday in his shop, which is located in a crowded market in the Maldas area, after he allegedly shared a post on social media in support of Nupur Sharma, spokeswoman for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party.

After making disparaging comments about the Prophet Mohammed during a debate in late May on the Times Now television channel she was suspended from her position.

Since then, the case has inflamed emotions across the country where relations between Hindu nationalists and Muslim communities have been marred by rows and controversies.

Lal was attacked by a man with a sharp weapon, while the other videotaped the crime. Later the scene was posted online along with the two attackers, Mohammed Riyaz Attari and Ghouse Mohammed, brandishing swords and threatening to kill Prime Minister Modi.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that two men were detained in Rajsamand in connection with the murder.

In view of the situation, the authorities banned any gathering of more than four people in several parts of Udaipur for fear that the incident could trigger further violence.

“I condemn the incident,” Bishop Ganawa told AsiaNews.

“As a representative of the Christian community here in Udaipur, I appeal for peace and harmony among all the communities,” he said.

“We stand for religious tolerance, dialogue and peaceful co-existence among all the communities.  I pray that good sense may prevail among us all.”

• india
• rajahstan
• udaipur
• sectarian attack
• tailor
• beheaded
• kanhaiya lal
• nupur sharma
• bharatiya janata party
• bjp
• narendra modi
• racism
• hindu nationalism
• islamism