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Priest from M’luru serving in Varanasi attacked by Pro Hindutva group; arrested on false charges

Lucknow/Mangaluru: A mangalurean catholic priest, serving in Varanasi has been arrested on false charges after being beaten by pro-Hindutva group members on November 15th.

Reportedly, Fr Vineet Vincent Pereira (43) serving in Gohana town in Mau district and some of the inmates of the ashram were attacked by members of Hindu Yuva Vahini (youth force) on November 15.

"When I objected, they beat me. One pulled me down holding my hair and dragged out. Then they hit me left and right. Those gathered around rescued us," informed Fr Pereira.

Later, the local police arrived at the ashram and arrested the priest on the basis of a complaint filed by the attackers on charges of rioting and disturbing public peace. Each of the charges carries a maximum imprisonment for two years if proven guilty.

Commenting on the incident, the diocesan vicar general Fr John Abraham said, "Fr Pereira lives a hermit-like existence and regularly conducts prayers for around 1,500 of these people at his ashram. None of them have become Christians, but they follow Christian spiritual values."

 Ever since the BJP came to power in the state in 2017, there is a rise in anti-Christian campaign and the attack was also part of it, pointed out Fr Abraham.The Hindu Yuva Vahini youth group was founded by chief minister Yogi Adityanath in 2002 with the intention of re-conversion of Christians back to Hinduism.

Fr Pereira hails from Kokkada in Dakshina Kannada district, inform local sources.