'Our Security is Govt's Responsibility': Archbishop of Bhopal Amid Violence

The comments come in the background of a surge in the number of violent attacks on Christian missionaries.

Expressing is anguish over the issue of alleged conversions in schools, Archbishop Sebastian Durairaj on Wednesday, 22 December said that it is the responsibility of the government to protect the missionary community against 'anti-social elements.'

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

Expressing anguish over the issue of alleged religious conversions in schools, Archbishop of Bhopal Sebastian Durairaj, on Wednesday, 22 December, said that it is the responsibility of the government to protect the missionary community against 'anti-social elements.'

"God will keep one father and three sisters safe, but it is also the duty of the government to give protection," he added.

Speaking to the media in the Archdiocese of Bhopal, he further indicated that if conversions were taking place in schools, then the Christian population would be in lakhs.

The Archbishop's comments come in the background of a surge in the number of violent attacks on Christian missionaries.

Addressing the speculations surrounding foreign funding, Durairaj iterated that the government knows where the funds come from and where they're spend.

"If the government wants to investigate, we will not hesitate from an investigation," the Archbishop told the media.

He appealed to the government saying, "Anti-social people want to sabotage the missionaries. Our security is the responsibility of the government. The cases of attacks on our institutions have increased."

Detaching himself from politics, however, he added, "I don't want to jump into political topics. Christians want peace from society."

Besides facing a spell of right-wing vigilantism, several christian institutions have been booked for alleged offences related to fraudulent conversions and running illegal institutions.