LUDHIANA 22 Feb (TOINS): Members of Christian community blocked traffic at Jagraon Bridge for over four hours on Sunday, against the publication of a picture of Jesus Christ allegedly in an objectionable manner and burning of two churches in Batala. They were also protesting against the arrest of people belonging to their community and demanded that the administration should release them immediately, reasoning that those taken into custody had only been raising voices for the protection of their religion.

Around 1,500 demonstrators started their protest at 11.30 am in front of Calvary Church at CMC Chowk, resulting in traffic disruption for more than 2 hours. Later on, they staged a peace march to Jagraon Bridge, where they sat down on the road.

President of Christian United Federation Albert Dua said they would continue their protest on Monday also as the administration had not fulfilled their demands till Sunday night. “If we meet with the same response even then, we will resort to chain hunger strike from Tuesday. Our people are prepared to sacrifice their lives to protect the religious sentiments,” he warned.

Calling for death sentence for accused Dr Pritpal Singh, who had allegedly published the posters, Father Joseph said, “It is not right to make fun of any religion, whether it is Hindu or Christian, as it hurts the sentiments of devotees. Therefore, whoever tries to create tension among communities should be severely punished.”

Jagraon Bridge is among the most crowded areas and any demonstration held there brings life to a complete halt. “I had to go to civil hospital for medical check-up of my son. But now, I will have to take a route from the other side that will take at least an hour more,” said Jitesh, a resident stuck at the Jagraon bridge blockade.

The incident reportedly is a reaction against putting up of objectionable posters of Jesus Christ, which were being readied for an all-religious peace march on the occasion of Ramnavami, in Jalandhar on Thursday. Earlier, a Salvation church at Dear Baba was put on fire during a clash between Christians and several Hindu organizations on Saturday.