Christian groups take part in candlelight protest to free Binayak Sen

Christian groups on Tuesday, Jan. 4, will take part in a candlelight protest in support of Dr. Binayak Sen who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment by a Raipur court.

The protest at India Gate, Delhi will condemn the Dec. 24 verdict sentencing the renowned rights activist and will also demand the protection of human rights defenders across the country. Incidentally, January 4 also marks the 61st birthday of Dr. Sen.

"It is tragic that a great republic such as India doesn't have a sufficiently strong civil society and civil liberty mass movements which are required to monitor fault lines and lacunae in the administration of justice," observed Dr. John Dayal, secretary general of the All India Christian Council (aicc)

"A few daring individuals - at great risk to their own lives - and a handful of human rights groups have kept alive the spirit of the Constitution and taken up the cause of the common man victimized by extremist groups. People such as Binayak Sen and Teesta kept alive the pursuit of justice for the victims" he said.

The Christian council urged the Union Government to "proactively resolve the unprecedented prison term for humanist doctor Binayak Sen and bring to an end the harassment of brave activist Teesta Setalvad who is currently targeted by both state and rightwing fundamentalist organisations."

A travesty of justice is how leading human rights activists reacted to the verdict which held Dr Sen guilty of sedition. Sen has a 25-year record of providing health care to the Adivasi people of Chhattisgarh.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) today in a statement expressed deep concern at Sen's conviction and urged Christians to participate at Tuesday's vigil.

"Small and perhaps powerless we may be, but as a community and as people committed to peace with justice, we cannot remain as silent spectators to such erosion of truth and injustice," remarked the general secretary, Rev. Dr. Richard Howell.