Delhi Christians protest Peshawar massacre

The Pakistan government was urged to take proactive measures to ensure the security of all minorities in that country.

New Delhi:  A group of Christians demonstrated at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi Tuesday expressing their anguish at the massacre of nearly 90 Christians in the All Saints Church in Peshawar on Sunday.

A delegation met the Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner and submitted the memorandum calling on the government to identify the guilty and bring them to justice.

The Pakistan government was urged to take proactive measures to ensure the security of all minorities in that country, and specially the miniscule Christian community. Also brought into focus was the infamous Blasphemy law that had made the targetting of Christians so very easy in the past.

The High commission was asked if they would permit a peace and solidarity delegation of Christians to go to Peshawar to be with the victims and their families as a gesture of solidarity in faith. The Deputy High commission said they would recommend this to the Islamabad government.

The memorandum appreciated Pakistan government condemning "the bombing of the church saying that terrorists have no religion. But our question to you and to the government is about what is being done to root out those who perpetrate such violence," it said.

Noting the Pakistan government is aware of the groups responsible for this heinous anti-humanity violence, it said: "Words of condemnation alone will not do. Firm action with a sense of urgency is called for."

Despite protests and demands for the security of minorities both in Pakistan and in other parts of the world, no effective steps have been initiated to provide security to the vulnerable minority groups, especially the Christians, the memorandum said.

Later in the evening, people gathered in front of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi in a solemn prayer meeting, holding candles and singing hymns. A large number of Muslims also attended the meeting.