Christians protest after church gutted in Delhi New Delhi (dpa) - Hundreds of Christians protested in the Indian capital Tuesday after a Catholic church was badly damaged in a fire. Leaders of the Christian community said the St Sebastians Church in east Delhi was gutted in an arson attack on Monday. Protesters gathered outside the Delhi police headquarters demanded a full investigation and more security for churches in the city. The fire destroyed most of the building including its prayer hall and altar, the Delhi archdiocese said. Traces of fuel oil had been found inside, they said. Police registered a case of arson and said it would release its report after a forensic team completed its work. Delhi archbishop Anil Couto called for a judicial inquiry. The protesters believe the apparent attack was part of an attempt to polarize voters before Delhi state polls, expected early next year. Christians make up 2 per cent of secular Indias 1.2 billion population, while 80 per cent are Hindus. Relations between the communities are largely peaceful but there are reports of violence by radical Hindus over conversions by Christian missionaries. # Notebook ## Internet links - [Delhi archdiocese statement](dpaq.de/u2IOA)
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 10:42:04 +0000
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