Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DC)
Lucknow/Mangaluru, Nov 17: In a shocking incident a catholic priest a native of Mangaluru, serving in Varanasi was arrested on false charges after being beaten by pro-Hindu group members on November 15.
According to reports from UCA news, Fr Vineet Vincent Pereira (43) serving in Gohana town in Mau district and some of the inmates of the ashram were attacked by members of Hindu Yuva Vahini (youth force) on November 15.
"When I objected, they beat me. One pulled me down holding my hair and dragged out. Then they hit me left and right. Those gathered around rescued us," said Fr Pereira.
Fr Vineet Vincent Pereira
On the same day, the local police arrived at the ashram and arrested the priest on the basis of a complaint filed by the attackers on charges of rioting and disturbing public peace. The each charge carries a maximum imprisonment for two years if proven guilty.
Fr John Abraham, the diocesan vicar general commenting on the incident said, "Fr Pereira lives a hermit-like existence and regularly conducts prayers for around 1,500 of these people at his ashram. None of them have become Christians, but they follow Christian spiritual values." He further said that the attackers must have been angry over Fr Pereira's popularity with Hindus who identify themselves as devotees of Christ.
Fr Abraham further said that ever since the BJP came to power in the state in 2017, there is a rise in anti-Christian campaign and the attack was also part of it.
Fr Pereira too said that most of the Hindus were attracted towards him since some of those attending his prayers were healed of sickness. "I used to conduct prayer meetings in nine villages but after four attempted attacks on me, the prayers were limited to the ashram."
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had founded the Hindu Yuva Vahini youth group in 2002. The group was aimed at re-conversion of Christians back to Hinduism.
According to the Religious Liberty Commission of Evangelical Fellowship of India, there have been 44 anti-Christian incidents in the past two months, while only 71 such incidents were documented across India.
As per some local sources, Fr Pereira hails from Dakshina Kannada district.