ASIA/INDIA - A Christian politician killed in Tamil Nadu

Tuesday, 4 October 2016 politics hinduism violence religious minorities human rights

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Chennai (Agenzia Fides) - A Pentecostal Christian, engaged in politics, was murdered near a church in the south of Chennai in Tamil Nadu (southern India). As Fides learns, Dhanasekharan was 34 years old and attended a Pentecostal church in Devasabha. On the morning of October 2 he was in a prayer room when he received a call to attend a prayer in another church. On his way out he was brutally attacked by a group of men armed with sickles and knives. According to eyewitnesses, the man tried to escape but was chased and shot dead. Dhanasekharan was also board member of a small local town hall, composed of six villages, as a member of the "Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam" party (DMK).
After the murder party members gathered demanding justice. According to investigators, there are reasons of political rivalry behind the assassination. Commenting on the murder to Fides, Sajan K. George, president of the "Global Council of Indian Christians" (GCIC) said: "This killing is yet another proof that Christian minorities are particularly vulnerable. The trail of aggression carried out by Hindu militants to the detriment of the Pentecostal faithful is known. Police are investigating but we believe Dhanasekharan was also killed because of his faith". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 04/10/2016)