Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), an influential UK-based religious rights group, told BosNewsLife that Thomas Pandippallyil was attacked in the state’s Nizamabad District, apparently because of his Christian activities.
"Father Thomas’ body was found on Sunday morning, August 17, bearing the marks of eighteen stab wounds and submersion under water," CSW said.
Catholic sources in India said he was severely disfigured, and his eyes had been gouged out.
NO THREATS
"Although the priest is not known to have received any previous threats, local sources and investigators believe it is likely to have been religiously-motivated," CSW added. In a statement, advocacy group All India Christian Council said the killing underscored concerns that, "Religious fundamentalism continues to wreak havoc in India," adding to fear among religious minorities.
"The faith of the Christian community in the justice system has been severely damaged by the lack of convictions in communal attacks. We are calling on the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of this horrendous crime be brought to justice, after which they must publicly clarify the motive for the murder."
CSW’s Advocacy Director, Alexa Papadouris, said his group has urged authorities to investigate the case and the motives behind the killing. "Christians in India face religiously-motivated violence on a huge scale, which routinely goes unpunished. The massive problem of impunity for perpetrators of horrendous crimes is totally incongruous with the role which India envisages for herself in the twenty-first century," Papadouris added.
Several hard-line Hindu groups have in the past been linked to violence against Christians, but no organization has claimed yet responsibility for the killing of the priest.
