Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Christians flay Dharna by VHP, BD

By Our Staff Reporter

Bhopal, March 2: Christian community condemned the Dharna organized by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in front of the Churches in Madhya Pradesh and the one held in-front of the Jehangirabad, St. Francis Cathedral Church in Bhopal.

Archbishop Dr. Leo Cornelio, in a statement issued here on Sunday said, "the Government must treat all communities equally and stop these organizations from destroying the peace and harmony existing in Madhya Pradesh."

In a statement the Regional Public Relations Office said," It is since quiet some time that Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal (BD) and its associates organizations are trying to spread communal hatred against Christian community in Madhya Pradesh.

The fundamental organizations accuse the Church of forced conversions through social service and education. The present crisis is said to be the recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commissions to allow reservation to persons who got converted from SC to Christianity and Islam.

The Christian organizations refuses to buy this argument because if it is to protest the decisions of the commission it should be done at a place which is the symbol of Union government.

While talking to the media persons Fr. Anand Muttungal, spokesperson for catholic churches said, "It is an out right violation of Christians to live in dignity and freedom with full honour so it is violation of fundamental rights of Christians." Since all these organizations are from the ruling party it looks like that the ruling party is not in a control of the situation or they knowingly keeps silence. For a healthy society both are very bad.

It is the need of the hour for the administration to be fair and effective in administering justice.

Major Christian organization, Catholic Church M.P, Indian Catholic Youth Movement, All India Christian Council, Christian Assembly, Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasabha and Christian leaders , Anup Jose , Mrs. Sheela Shantyago, Sr. Sneha , Saji Abraham, Babu Solomon etc. condemned the incident.

Madhya Pradesh Christian Assembly

The Madhya Pradesh Christian Assembly (MPCA) took a serious note on the 'dharna'organized by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) infront of the Churches in Madhya Pradesh and the one held in-front of the Jehangirabad, St. Francis Cathedral Church in Bhopal.

The Assembly said that party, front or councils should not organise 'dharna' in front of religious institutions which may hurt religious sentiments.

The Government should treat all communities equally and stop such organizations which may disrupt peace and harmony of the State.

Catholic Association of Bhopal Archdiocese

The Catholic Association of Bhopal Archdiocese (CABA) condemned the demonstration carried by members of Akhil Bhartiya Anusuchit Jati Arakshan Raksha Manch Bhopal (Madhya Bharat) in front of Jehangirabad Church. The Association condemned by saying that members shouldn't organise such protests in front of religious place.

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