Christian leaders protest violence to PM, assured protection

New Delhi – Amid news reports of Christians being subjected to increasing persecution and harassment nationwide, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has issued a ‘red–letter’ to Chief Ministers nationwide urging them to take steps to curb the violence against the minorities.

Recently, a delegation of Christian leaders represented by Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi Archdiocese and president of United Christian Forum, Rev. Enos Das Pradhan, general secretary of Church of North India (CNI), Rev. Richard Howell, general secretary of Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), John Dayal, president of All India Catholic Union and member of National Integration Council and several others met with Dr. Singh and addressed their grievances.

According to news reports, Dr. Singh was very sympathetic and he promised that he would discuss the issue with the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. Dr. Singh also assured that letters would be sent to the heads of the states nationwide, urging them to take measures and protect the minority communities.

During the meeting, the Christian leaders presented several memorandums to the Prime Minister. An unofficial ‘White Paper,’ listing the cases of violence against the community in just the first two and a half months of 2005, was also presented by John Dayal.

The Christian delegation also voiced to Dr. Singh that that the government must support the cause of Dalit Christians in the Supreme Court, where the matter is still pending. The Christian leaders also urged the government to take steps for the economic empowerment of the community, many members of which were amongst the poorest of the poor. However, they also congratulated the government for promising a white paper on the condition of the minorities.

During the meeting, the Christian leaders bemoaned that in spite of the fact that the Christian community is engaged in the development of the poor and the marginalized, its services are not adequately recognized, and rather they are often misinterpreted as means for religious conversion. In reply, Dr. Singh assured that his Government was committed to safeguard the secular fabric of the country and it would ensure the safety and security of the minorities in India.