India: Catholic missionaries attacked, fomented by fundamentalists
August 22, 2013: Attacked, insulted and beaten by about 150 people: This is what
happened to a Jesuit priest and two nuns who work with tribal Santal in a Catholic
mission in Karon (Jharkhand). The attack occurred last Sunday. The mob's wrath was
sparked by the death of a 7 year old boy, who was staying in the hostel run by the
Catholic Church. However, the Jesuits of the province of Dumka-Raiganj - who run the
mission - suspect the involvement of radical Hindu groups Sawayamsevak Rashtriya Sangh
(RSS) and Bajrang Dal.
On 2 August the child began to experience severe stomach
pains. Concerned, mission staff rushed him to the local hospital, where unfortunately
he died. Doctors said he died from cardiac arrest. Priests and nuns brough the small
child's body back to his native village, which is located in the district of Chittaranjan
(West Bengal). Angry about what happened, the villagers first held the Catholic sisters
captive, then let them return.
"But we had asked them a new meeting - Fr. Panimegam
Michael, SJ, the director of the mission tells AsiaNews - and on Aug. 18 about 150
people gathered, including the child's parents. Shortly after starting the father
approached and slapped me. From there, others started to break the windows, destroying
furniture, and the mother to beat me. "
The women in the group - about 60 -
have attacked Sister Sahaya, which is the principal of the school's mission. "They
pulled her hair - recalls the priest - and ripped her clothes, then they beat her"
and together with her, another sister.
Police intervention dispersed the people.
One of the priests present at the time of the attack, Fr. Salomon, suffered injuries
to his head. Before leaving, the group demanded a compensation of 1 million rupees,
but the missionaries did not accept.
The incident has shocked the priests and
nuns of the mission. However, they remain convinced that Hindu fundamentalists fomented
the community, exploiting the pain of the parents for the loss of the child. "I forgive
my attackers - says Fr. Panimegam - and with God's grace and His Spirit we will continue
to serve this Santal community through the educational mission of the Jesuits."
Founded
in 2004, the missionary center is called Deepshikha ("Torch") and also includes a
hostel and a school. In 2005 c some nuns of the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception
(CIC) arrived, taking over the management of the institute. (Source: Asianews)