Priest from M’luru serving in Varanasi attacked by Pro Hindutva group; arrested on false charges
Team Udayavani, Nov 17, 2018, 11:09 AM IST
Lucknow/Mangaluru: A mangalurean catholic priest, serving in Varanasi has been arrested on false charges after being beaten by pro-Hindutva group members on November 15th.
Reportedly, 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,” informed Fr Pereira.
Later, 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. Each of the charges carries a maximum imprisonment for two years if proven guilty.
Commenting on the incident, the diocesan vicar general Fr John Abraham 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.”
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, pointed out Fr Abraham.
The Hindu Yuva Vahini youth group was founded by chief minister Yogi Adityanath in 2002 with the intention of re-conversion of Christians back to Hinduism.
Fr Pereira hails from Kokkada in Dakshina Kannada district, inform local sources.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Davanagere: Man murdered by relative for insurance money; 4 arrested within 24 hours
Govt clerk found dead in Tahsildar’s chamber, FIR filed against minister’s PA, 2 others
MP Brijesh Chowta urges Kerala CM for strict action against attack on Edneer Swamiji’s vehicle
Mangaluru: Asiatic male lion arrives at Pilikula Zoo
Waqf Notice Issue: Not an accident, but state government’s conspiracy, claims V. Sunil Kumar
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Davanagere: Man murdered by relative for insurance money; 4 arrested within 24 hours
Heroin worth Rs 3.5 crore recovered in police raid in Delhi, 2 arrested
Govt clerk found dead in Tahsildar’s chamber, FIR filed against minister’s PA, 2 others
Treated Muslims like fuel for ‘lantern’: Prashant Kishor targets Lalu, asks upper castes to stay away from Nitish
MP Brijesh Chowta urges Kerala CM for strict action against attack on Edneer Swamiji’s vehicle
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.