Bajrang Dal Stages Christmas Eve Protest at Bareilly Church
Members of the Bajrang Dal organized a sit-in demonstration outside a prominent church in Bareilly's cantonment area on Christmas Eve. The protestors recited the Hanuman Chalisa and chanted slogans including 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Vande Mataram'. This action was a direct response to cultural programmes held at the church a day earlier, which the group claims portrayed Hindu traditions in a negative light.
Allegations of Defamatory Content in Skits
According to Bajrang Dal functionaries, the trigger for the protest was an event held at St Alphonsus Cathedral Church on December 23. They alleged that audio-visual skits presented during the Christmas celebrations linked serious crimes like rape and forced conversions to Hindu temples and Hindu society at large. The protestors argued that these depictions created a biased and harmful narrative.
"The performances gave an impression that atrocities against women happen only within Hindu society. This is a completely biased portrayal," said a protesting worker. He emphasized that crimes against women are a universal issue, occurring across all religions and communities, and singling out one faith was unacceptable.
Protesters also highlighted a point of contention, noting that over 90% of the participating students and parents at the event belonged to Hindu families. They claimed such performances at institutions where Hindu children study hurt the religious sentiments of both students and parents.
Police Response and Escalating Demands
The initial sit-in outside the church concluded after the group submitted a memorandum to Bareilly DSP Ashutosh Shivam, who assured them of strict action. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya confirmed that the case was being probed thoroughly.
However, by late Thursday, no First Information Report (FIR) had been registered. Dissatisfied with this delay, the Bajrang Dal activists staged another sit-in, this time outside the Kotwali police station on Wednesday. Their new demand included the suspension of the police official they held responsible for the inaction.
The group has demanded a public apology from the event organizers and a formal ban on similar themes in future cultural programmes. They seek assurance that such depictions, which they view as offensive to majority community sentiments, will not be repeated.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Tensions
The incident has brought underlying community tensions to the fore in Bareilly during the festive season. While the police investigation is ongoing, the protest underscores the sensitive nature of religious and cultural representation in public events. The authorities now face the challenge of thoroughly investigating the allegations while maintaining law and order and ensuring such disputes do not escalate further.
The outcome of the police probe and the administration's handling of the protestors' demands will be closely watched, as it sets a precedent for handling similar grievances related to cultural content and religious sentiment in the region.
