On Boxing Day, a statue of Jesus Christ was
vandalised by two people at the entrance gate of British-era Holy
Redeemer Church in Ambala Cantonment in the early hours following Christmas
prayers on Sunday. Both suspects were arrested.

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As per the preliminary investigation, two
suspects, who were seen in CCTV camera footage, broke some lightings and
vandalised the statue, following the Christmas prayers. The police said that
the crime took place between 12.30 am to 1.40 am.

They were arrested for hurting religious
sentiments, the police said.

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Upon receiving the news of the crime,
Ambala police additional superintendent of police (ASP) Pooja Dabla, DSP Ambala
Cantt Ram Kumar, Cantt police station house officer and crime investigation
agency (CIA) rushed to the Church and inspected the crime spot.

Father Patras Mundu of Holy Redeemer
Church, Redemptorists, Ambala said, “This Church is very old and
historical one in Ambala and it was established in 1840s. There has never been
any such incident in the.”

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“Two suspects entered the Church
property at about 12.30am after the Christmas prayers. Due to lockdown, Church
was closed on time as we obeyed the government restrictions. The Christmas
prayers were completed by 9.30pm, by 10pm people had went out and by 10.30pm,
the entire Church including the gate was closed,” Father Patras Mundu
said.

“At about 12.30am, two suspects entered
the Church property by jumping over the gate. They roamed inside, vandalised
electric lightings and while leaving at about 1.40 am, they vandalised and
desecrated the statue of Jesus. It is very sensitive issue for the Christian
community and our religious sentiments are deeply hurt. In the CCTV footage, it
is very obvious that this is intentionally done”, said father Patras
Mundu, in his complaint to Ambala police.

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India has seen a rise in attacks against
religious minorities recently. Churches have been attacked and Christmas
celebrations disrupted in many places. Karnataka recently passed an
anti-conversion bill after accusations from the ruling BJP that Churches are
trying to forcibly convert people into Christianity. A Christmas carnival was
disrupted at a Haryana private school by a right-wing mob on Thursday.