Opposition to road widening by a Church in Rangareddy (Telangana) : Church attacks the villagers

  • Assaulted with stones and bricks
  • Villagers retaliated
  • 18 injured, 11 arrested
  • Prohibitory orders implemented

Hyderabad (Telangana) – This incident occurred on February 13th in Rangareddy District, near Hyderabad, where road widening work was underway in Janwada village. The expansion project faced opposition from members of the Methodist Church in the area. During the confrontation, stones and bricks were pelted at villagers from the Church, prompting retaliatory actions from the enraged villagers, resulting in vandalism of the Church. A total of 18 individuals from both sides sustained injuries during the altercation. The Police have arrested 11 individuals in connection with the incident. In response to escalating tensions, authorities have enforced a curfew in the area for a week. Since this issue is related to the Church, political parties have started taking sides with the Church.

It has been reported that during the attack, the cross within the Church was also damaged by the villagers. Consequently, based on the complaint lodged by the Church, a case has been registered under the ‘SC-ST Act’and other laws. (Christians do not alter the caste status of Hindu individuals even after their conversion to Christianity. This indicates that this particular loophole is being exploited to protect converted Christians during such attacks – Editor)

BSP hates backward class Hindus

Telangana BSP President Dr RS Praveen Kumar visited the scene of the incident on 14 th February. He stated that over 200 individuals had attacked the Church, with those inside beaten with iron rods and sticks. (Despite the fact that the villagers are also from Scheduled Castes and Tribes, BSP is aligning itself with the Christians in this issue.
This demonstrates BSP’s favouritism towards Christians and animosity towards Hindus from backward classes. – Editor)

Editorial Perspectives

  • This incident reveals the true nature of the Church. The world is already aware of what Christians do in the name of social service. Now, it is apparent that churches, like mosques, store stones and attack Hindus when the time comes.
  • If western media like BBC, The New York Times, and organisations like Amnesty International, European Union question India over this incident, it should not be surprising.
  • Taking the law into one’s own hands and resorting to violence is wrong; however, Christians who claim that ‘Hindu Deities cannot even protect their temples’should now be asked, ‘Couldn’t Jesus protect the Church in this incident ?’