Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - Police investigations continue and what seems to be coming to surfice is that Islamic fundamentalist groups active in Kashmir, are behind the attack that yesterday hit the High Court in Delhi, causing 11 deaths and over 70 injuries (see Fides 09/07/2011). But Fr. Xavier Jeyaraj, a Jesuit from Delhi, Coordinator of the Social Apostolate of Jesuits in India, objects in an interview with Fides: "There are suspicions and denials. It is not yet clear who is responsible for the attack and investigations are underway. The culprits could be Islamic terrorist groups but also terrorists groups with a Hindu background who want to create chaos and panic. We cannot give our opinion and understand the reasons for the attack". So, he continues, "we must be careful not to demonize Islam and every Muslim is not to be considered a terrorist. There are good Muslims, good Christians and good Hindus, but there is also a minority who use violence and want to destroy human dignity".
"It is hard to say why in recent years terrorist attacks have increased in India. It is a vast country, there are many open questions, on a social and political level, which could be exploited as a 'right cause' by terrorist groups. We can say, however, that today's security measures in sensitive places and in institutional headquarters are inadequate".
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, the day after the massacre, the government and the people's reaction was prompt: "The population is not intimidated. The High Court itself has already returned to work today, and the city has resumed its life and normal rhythms", says Fr. Jeyaraj.
Regarding Indian Christians, the Jesuit priest tells Fides: "Ours is a preliminary work to prevent conflict and violence: a work on a cultural, social and religious level, to build an atmosphere of peace and peaceful coexistence between the different communities that exist in India. What we are trying to do is to build links between communities, teach to see others not as enemies but as human beings with dignity. We want to help build respect and mutual love between believers of different religions. In this way we give hope to the country".
After the attack, the Episcopal Conference of India – that yesterday expressed confusion in the words entrusted by Cardinal Oswald Gracias to Fides - issued an official statement condemning "those who destroy the lives of innocent people", "they work against the divine plan and they prove to be enemies of a peaceful social order", and appealing to the entire population to" help authorities in the fight against terrorism". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 08/09/2011)
