Christians stage vigil against atrocities

PATNA: In a massive show of solidarity, 1,000-odd Christians in the city staged a silent candlelight vigil at the city’s Buddha Smriti Park on Tuesday evening in protest against the recent atrocities involving community members as victims.
Led by Patna’s Archbishop William D’Souza, Christians of various denominations stood with black ribbons over their mouth to express their dismay over the gang rape of a septuagenarian Catholic nun in West Bengal on March 14. “After PM’s assurance, we called off a stir planned a few weeks earlier.But, the attacks haven’t abated,” D’Souza told TOI.
Religious sisters also joined the protest in large numbers. They included Patna Women’s College principal Sr M Jessie. “Our country worships women as deities. It is unimaginable how someone can be so barbaric as to assault an elderly nun who has devoted her life for service to the society,” one member of the Alpasankhyak Isai Kalyan Sangh said.
They were also furious over the alleged government inaction in bringing the guilty to the book. Politicians give absurd statements on these attacks, which is more painful, a priest said.
The silent demonstration saw many passersby joining the demonstration. The protesters held placards and banners displaying slogans such as ‘Nari shakti, desh bhakti’, ‘Isai Bharatiya hai’, ‘Padosi se prem karo’ and ‘Respect all religions’.
The community plans to take out a peace and harmony procession in Patna on March 28 in which at least 10,000 people are expected to participate.