Christian leaders condemn demolition

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, AUG. 1. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has condemned the demolition of ``yet another 16th century mosque'' at Asind in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan last week by a mob.

In a statement issued here today, the CBCI secretary general, Archbishop Oswald Gracias, said: ``Demolition of a religious place, be it a mosque, temple, gurudwara or church is not simply a matter of law and order. It touches and hurts the religious sentiments of people and must be strongly condemned by all.''

The Archbishop of Delhi, Vincent M. Concessao, has stressed the need for religious leaders of all religions to come together to condemn such actions.

Of the view that such senseless mob action was not a sign of civilised people, Archbishop Concessao said: ``It is high time civil society becomes aware of the harm such actions bring to peaceful coexistence in the country, and stands up to tackle such religious fundamentalism.''

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Section  : National
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