Just one day after reports of widespread disruptions to Christmas celebrations across India, Hindu nationalist groups convened a significant gathering in Gurugram. The mahapanchayat, held on Friday, served as a platform to voice strong opposition against the planned construction of a church in the area.
Mahapanchayat Raises Demographic and Conversion Concerns
Leaders from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal spearheaded the panchayat, which included representatives from several villages. Their primary argument centered on local demographics. They claimed the Christian population in the vicinity was less than 1 percent, contrasting it with an estimated 10,000 Hindu families residing nearby.
VHP's Yashwant Shekhawat and Bajrang Dal's Surendra Tawar, as quoted by PTI, asserted that there were no Christian families living around the village in question. This demographic claim formed the basis of their objection. The assembled groups and some villagers expressed a deep-seated apprehension that the proposed church could act as a front for religious conversion activities.
Disputed Land Use and Formation of Action Committee
Sandeep Kumar, the head of Teekli village, provided details on the land transaction. He stated that members of the Christian community had purchased the plot from a local farmer. An application for change of land use was subsequently submitted but was initially rejected by authorities.
Kumar further alleged that assurances were given that no church would be built on the land. However, the land use change was later approved, and construction work commenced, leading to the current dispute. In response to the situation, the mahapanchayat formed a 52-member committee to formalize their protest.
This committee decided on a course of action: it plans to meet the Gurugram deputy commissioner on Monday. The agenda is to submit a memorandum addressed to the chief minister, formally outlining their objections to the church construction.
Context of Christmas Eve Disruptions Across States
The Gurugram meeting occurred against a backdrop of reported disturbances during Christmas celebrations in multiple states. Incidents of alleged vandalism, intimidation, and harassment targeting Christian events were reported from Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Odisha.
Specific cases highlighted include an incident in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, where a BJP official was accused of assaulting a visually impaired Christian woman during a children's feast. Church services in the state were also reportedly disrupted. In Palakkad, Kerala, an RSS worker was said to have attacked children singing carols and damaged their musical instruments. The pressure from right-wing groups was cited as a reason for some schools canceling their Christmas programs altogether.
The convergence of these nationwide reports with the local dispute in Gurugram underscores ongoing tensions surrounding religious constructions and celebrations in various parts of the country.
