Church groups condemn series of bomb blasts in New Delhi

NEW DELHI (CNS)—Church groups joined political and social leaders in condemning a series of bomb blasts that killed up to 30 people in the Indian capital.

The bombs that exploded Sept. 13 in three New Delhi markets crowded with shoppers and families also wounded more than 100 people, reported the Asian Church news agency UCA News.

Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil of Ernakulam-Angamaly, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, called the blasts “a dastardly act” by those with “scant regard” for human life. He appealed for peace and harmony.

Divine Word Father Babu Joseph, spokesman for the Indian bishops, told UCA News Sept. 15 the bishops prayed for the victims and for the speedy recovery of the wounded.

Divine Word Father Dominic Emmanuel, spokesman for the Delhi Archdiocese, urged citizens to come forward to resist such violence.

“Terrorists are terrorists—they don’t have any religion,” he told UCA News.

A few minutes before the first blast, an Islamic militant group, Indian Mujahideen, sent an e-mail to media outlets claiming responsibility.

The first blast occurred at 6:10 p.m. less than two miles west of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India headquarters. Four other blasts occurred around the city, and police later defused five more live bombs from various parts of the city.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Cabinet members condemned the blasts. Singh reportedly expressed condolences for the deaths and urged people to remain calm. Sonia Gandhi, chairwoman of the United Progressive Alliance that rules the federal government, condemned the blasts as an act of cowardice.

Christians throughout India prayed for the blast victims and their families during Sept. 14 services. They also prayed for peace and for those perpetrating violence to experience a change of heart.
The National Council of Churches in India said the blasts stunned and dismayed the country. The council, an association of Protestant and Orthodox Churches, condemned “the inhuman attack on the innocent.”

The All India Christian Council said that “nothing justifies acts of terrorism.” It said earlier blasts in cities—including Hyderabad, Bangalore and Jaipur—should have made the government develop a “national security and intelligence apparatus to assess and predict the threats and take pre-emptive action.”

The All India Catholic Union, a Catholic lay organization, called the blasts “wanton violence and a dastardly act against innocents.” It also voiced concern that they occurred during Islam’s holy month of Ramadan.