Cong demands BJP govt dismissal over Christian preacher attack

Jaipur, Apr 30 (UNI) Condemning the daylight attack on a Christian preacher here, the Congress today urged Rajasthan Governor to dismiss the BJP government, saying it has consistently failed to provide protection to minorities in the state.

Handing over a memorandum to Governor Pratibha Patil, senior Congress leaders including former Chief Minister Shiv Charan Mathur, state vice-president Dr Raghu Sharma and general secretary Mumtaz Masih demanded strict action against the guilty people and police protection and compensation for preacher Walter Massey's family.

Mr Massey, who runs a small congregation ''Masihi Sanghti' from his middle class residence in Nandpuri Bazar, in the neighbourhood of state Chief Minister's residence, was attacked by a group of 10-12 masked young men with sticks in front of his family last afternoon.

Massey sustained severe injuries and was admitted to Sawai Man singh Hospital. His wife Joyce and five-year-old daughter were highly traumatised by the incident.

The police have arrested five people today, said to be Bajrang Dal activists. However, both the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have denied any involvement in the incident.

The Christian community leaders will meet at Walter Massey's house today evening and decide on the next strategy, Rev Z R Masey told UNI.

Criticising the attack, Rev Massey said these kinds of incidents are happening regularly be it Kota's Emmanuel Mission, or other such attacks in Banswara, Sriganganagar, Tonk, Bhilwara etc which are ''predesigned to disturb communal harmony in the state.'' The Sadbhawna Manch will be taking out a peace march drawing people from all communities in the evening in the city to condemn such attacks.

UNI