RSS members allegedly vandalise prayer hall in Coimbatore decked up for Christmas

Police have not filed a case so far as they claimed that the victims were also at fault for convening a meeting despite warning.

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RSS members allegedly went on the rampage and attacked and vandalised a prayer hall in Coimbatore disrupting Christmas celebrations there.

The incident took place in Kottai Pirivu of Mathampalayam area on Saturday.

Pastor Karthik who was one of the victims alleged that a government teacher, Selvaraj, who resides near the prayer hall, had hatched a plan along with his family members and 20 RSS men, to disrupt the celebrations.

He said, “While we were celebrating, Selvaraj, his family members Kavitha, Chandrashekar and 20 RSS men hatched a plan in their home and suddenly barged into the church and vandalised everything. They also attacked the brothers and worshippers who had gathered in the church.”

In the attack, Karthik suffered an injury to his head, and a woman suffered a fracture, while the rest suffered minor injuries.

“We didn’t do anything wrong, just like everywhere, we wanted to celebrate Christmas and distribute a few things to the poor,” Karthik said.

Demanding protection from police, Karthik said, “We need protection and we also appeal police to take stringent action against the accused.”

Karthik alleged that the accused Selvaraj has been creating problems for the past two months, for which they have written petitions.

Speaking to TNM, Coimbatore Special Branch Inspector Loganathan said that they have not filed an official complaint yet.

“We have not filed any official complaint, as there is a mistake on both the sides, although we are investigating the issue,” Loganathan said.

Dismissing reports of communal violence, he said that the pastors had no permission to organise any meeting, since it was a residential area.

“The issue turned violent because despite repeated requests not to convene any meeting and cause nuisance, they (pastors) went ahead. The Tahsildar had denied permission earlier for the meeting since it is in a residential area. Despite that, they convened the meeting,” he said.