LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, Jan 15: A protest march was organised in Ranchi on Sunday against continuous attacks and beatings on the Church and people of Christian society in Chhattisgarh. Large numbers of people of Christian society participated in the march and walked for 4 kms.
The march started from GEL Church premises, passing through Main Road, Court, Radium Road reached Gandhi Vatika of Morhabadi Maidan, where a meeting was later organised. The march was notably, organised by the Jharkhand Christian Youth Association.
Archbishop Philex Toppo, Archbishop Assistant Theodore Maskarahanes, former Education Minister Bandhu Tirkey, Mandar MLA Neha Shilpi Tirkey, Bishop Seemant Tirkey, Jyoti Singh Matharu from the Sikh community, Mahua Manjhi, Nistar Minj, Sujit Tigga, Kuldeep Tirkey, Vikas Tirkey, Albin Lakda, JCY President Anil Lakda among several other prominent leaders and representatives attended the march.
Addressing the gathering, Archbishop Bishop Felix Toppo said, “We are all children of one God. Everyone is given different names, and they worship him calling him different names. We are brothers to each other. We have a family. If each other’s freedom is violated, the family breaks up. There are some such forces in our country, that are harming our brotherhood, and scraping our constitution. The constitution gives us freedom. It gives justice to all of us.”
JMM leader and MP Mahua Maji later said that questioned the actions of the mobs. Claiming that the attacks in Chhattisgarh were not fair, she said, “The work that Christian missionaries have done and are doing in the field of education and service cannot be compared to anything. Christian missionaries go to remote areas and open schools, educate children in areas that even governments cannot reach. This is why hatred towards such people and attack on them is wrong. Wherever there is a non-BJP government, such efforts are being made continuously.” She further denied to comment over the Chhattisgarh government, and said that CM Hemant Soren respects all religions. She further asserted that politics of hate will not work in Jharkhand. She further claimed that organisations associated with BJP and RSS are constantly working to disturb social harmony, but this will not be allowed in Jharkhand.
Furthermore, Bandhu Tirkey said, “There are destructive forces in the country that are trying to break the unity in the country. We are worshipers of non-violence. We share the teachings of love. The country will not run with hatred. To make Jharkhand state an advanced state, all the communities will have to become responsible, they will have to move forward by giving good education.” Later while warning the people, he said that such forces should not consider the communities and voters weak.
