As minorities look up to the government, the Centre has ordered a thorough probe into the fire at St. Sebastian’s Church. The incident is being seen as an attempt to orchestrate communal tension

Members of the Christian community and its leaders held a protest demonstration near the Police Headquarters at ITO here on Tuesday morning, blocking traffic during peak hours, to register their anguish at the alleged burning of St. Sebastian’s Church in Dilshad Garden.

Catholic nuns, principals and teachers of various educational institutions were among those who participated in the demonstration that blocked the arterial road linking New Delhi with East Delhi for at least two hours.

Delhi Archbishop Anil. J. Couto noted that the church will maintain a “wait and watch policy” to see how the Central and State Governments pool in their efforts to find the culprit before deciding the next course of action.

“The alleged burning of the church has created a sense of insecurity, and the government has to show by its action that it is concerned and will ensure security of all minorities in their motherland, especially the small Christian community which has been living peacefully for 2,000 years,” noted a release issued by the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese.

Stating that the government has to end targeted violence and impunity so that the Constitutional guarantees of freedom of faith for all citizens were seen on the ground, the Archdiocese release noted: “We are hoping the Prime Minister and his government will reaffirm this commitment.”

The protest rally at ITO was addressed by Archbishop Anil Couto and senior representatives and clergy of several denominations.

St. Sebastian’s Church in Dilshad Garden was constructed in 2001 and is among the biggest churches in the area. The fire was reported on early Monday morning and the entire interiors including the altar, and the Holy Bible and the Cross were reduced to ashes.

Hours after the incident, senior officers of the Delhi Police, the Special Branch and the Forensic Crime unit came to the spot and samples were retrieved from the inside of the church, which still smelt of fuel oil.

“We have been told that the police have not been able to crack the case yet. Also, apart from the judicial inquiry, the government must repair the building before Christmas, ensure that the policemen guilty of dereliction of duty are punished, and special police investigation teams are set up to trace the guilty,” added Archbishop Couto.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P. J. Kurien and CPM member K. N. Balagopal also visited the church on Tuesday.