Christian school vandalised in Delhi: BJP leadership quick to give directions for action

New Delhi: A Christian convent school in Vasant Vihar (Delhi) was reportedly vandalised on Thursday (Feb. 12) night by masked men. Soon after the reports of vandalism came into light, Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi summoned Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi.

According to this DNA report, Narendra Modi told BS Bassi to take strong action against those involved. After meeting Narendra Modi, BS Bassi met told the media, “Prime Minister Modi expressed anguish and concern over rising crime rate in Delhi. PM told us to speedily investigate the recent incidents of vandalism and ensure that the guilty are brought to book. In addition to school theft, PM also expressed his deep concern over incident of church vandalism that happened recently. Around Rs 8000 has been stolen from donation box of school. Delhi police is taking this case with utter seriousness and we will soon book those involved.”

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The attack on Holy Child Auxillium School in Vasant Vihar was the sixth such incident in Delhi in the last four months.
NDTV reported that the principal’s office was vandalised and around Rs 12,000 was stolen. Students were sent home and classes were cancelled for the rest of the day. Reports said that the perpetrators also damaged CCTV cameras in the school.

The attack comes just a week after India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured the Christian community that government will investigate attacks on churches.

India’s HRD Minister Smriti Irani, an alumna, visited the school in the afternoon. NDTV quoted principal Lucy John who said it was an incident of theft. “To us it is not a case of vandalism but theft. No religious item was stolen,” she said.

“The school principal spoke to the minister following which she had also called up Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the issue,” officials in the HRD ministry said.

The attack was condemned by Delhi CM-designate Arvind Kejriwal as well.