NHRC notice to Delhi Government over reported vandalizing of churches (20.1.2015)

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 20th January, 2015

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a church in Vikaspuri area of Delhi was vandalized on the 14th January, 2015. Prior to this, reportedly, four other incidents of attacks and suspected arson at Christian religious institutions have happened in Dilshad Garden, Rohini and Jasola areas of Delhi since 1st December, 2014.

The Commission has observed that these frequent attacks on the religious institutions of the minority community, if true, may violate the fundamental right to freedom of religion and cause immense harm to the social fabric. The culprits involved in these incidents should be brought to book.

It has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi calling for a report on these incidents within four weeks. He has also been directed to send a report about the action proposed to be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the National Capital.

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