Church authorities claim that the attackers created ruckus in the premises and broke flower pots
Members of a Hindu religious group allegedly vandalised a church in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh late on Friday night where a Bible convention was being held. There were around 200 tribals present at the time of the incident; they had come to the church for the convention from Mandla District.
According to church authorities, the men had a heated argument after which they created ruckus in the premises and broke flower pots.
But the the attackers claim there was no vandalism. "We went to the church after we got to know that a religious conversion ceremony is been organised there in the name of Bible convention. Otherwise, why were so many tribals called there?" said Yogesh, a member of the Hindu Dharma Sena.
A police case was registered against unknown people on Saturday after a complaint by church authorities. The Christians have threatened to close all missionary schools and colleges in Jabalpur on Monday if police does not take any action.
"If the perpetrators of this crime are not punished, we will close all the Christian schools in the area," said Denzel Paul, a leader of the Christian community.
"We have registered a case against unknown people after a complaint by Christian community," said Isha Pant, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Jabalpur.
While the Christians deny the allegations made by Hindu Dharma Sena, a few tribals claim they had come to the church to convert. "We came here to convert to Christianity," said Satish, a tribal from Sirhora village who attended the convention.
The three-day Bible convention concludes tomorrow.