Members of right-wing organizations Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad held a demonstration outside a church in Bareilly on Christmas Eve, alleging that Hindu religious sentiments were hurt during festive celebrations. The protest, which saw sloganeering and recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, prompted police intervention and the submission of a formal complaint demanding action.
Protest Details and Allegations
The incident unfolded on Wednesday in the area under Bareilly's Cantt police station. A group of protesters gathered near the main gate of the church, raising slogans such as "Jai Shri Ram" and "Har Har Mahadev." They claimed that a Christmas program held at the church the previous day, Tuesday, included audio-visual skits performed by school children. The Bajrang Dal, in a memorandum, alleged these skits misleadingly portrayed issues related to religious conversion, Hindu temples, and Hindu society.
A video from the protest, showing members reciting the Hanuman Chalisa outside the church in the presence of police personnel, quickly circulated on social media platforms. The demonstration lasted for approximately 30 minutes before concluding.
Police Response and Escalation
Police officials arrived at the scene after being alerted about the gathering. The protest ended after Bajrang Dal members submitted their memorandum to City Circle Officer (City) Ashutosh Shivam. The memorandum called for an impartial probe and stringent action against those responsible for the alleged wrongdoing.
Speaking on the matter, Circle Officer Shivam stated, "An investigation will be carried out and necessary action will be taken on the basis of facts." However, the situation escalated later when members of the right-wing groups staged another protest, this time outside the Kotwali police station in Bareilly. They demanded the suspension of Officer Shivam for allegedly failing to register an FIR against a pastor accused of making defamatory remarks about Hindu deities.
Community Tensions and Investigation
This protest highlights the sensitive nature of religious events and the potential for communal friction. The incident in Bareilly has drawn attention to how cultural and religious programs are perceived and the swift mobilization of groups alleging disrespect. The police now face the task of investigating the claims made in the memorandum to ascertain the facts surrounding the content of the Christmas skits. The outcome of this probe is likely to influence community relations in the area in the near future.
