Media Release
New Delhi, Nov 13: The All India Catholic Union (AICU) joins the people of the country in the national grief at the heart-rending loss of lives in the car explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on November 12.
The government has confirmed the death of 13 persons, and injuries to 20 others – many of whom remain critically wounded. The police await the results of the forensic laboratory tests on the DNA taken from mutilated bodies to identify the victims. Indian media has reported that police have traced a terror module based in several states. Forensic investigations also continue on the cause of the car explosion which also killed the person driving the vehicle.
In May this year, 25 tourist, all men including a Christian from Indore city, were killed in a terrorist attack in a meadow in Pahalgaon in Kashmir valley.
The 106-year-old Catholic Union has unequivocally condemned wanton acts of terrorist violence in any part of the country. The AICU holds that no political, ideological, religious or sectarian reason can justify such bloodshed.
The union cabinet has condemned the incident as a ‘heinous terrorist act’ by ‘anti-national forces’, and has invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in in investigating those who could be responsible.
Beyond the immediate shock, grief and condemnation, terrorism’s true toll is in a cascade of private agonies, of the injured and the families of the dead. Beyond panic, and the slow task of rebuilding shattered homes, is the grave fracture of communities as suspicion seeps in, neighbours’ eye strangers, religious and ethnic minorities fear a backlash.
The AICU commends the government and the police personnel for the alacrity with which investigations have been launched nation-wide in the case. The All India Catholic Union urges the central and state governments to take all necessary precautions maintaining peace and harmony in the country.
The Catholic laity and has always reached out to victims of such violent acts while being a catalyst in strengthening communal harmony and peace.
The AICU stands with all secular elements in India who condemn terrorism, communal hate and sectarian violence, and in the pursuit of peace and harmony.