Christians protest against Bishop's arrest in the Capital

New Delhi – On April 7, Christians from all parts of Delhi and its surroundings participated in a rally organised by Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC).

Hundreds of Christians marched through the streets of India's capital on Friday to protest the atrocities against Christian missionaries and institutions in Rajasthan and the arrest of Bishop Samuel Thomas of Emmanuel Mission International.

Leaders speaking at the rally called for justice to Christians and the immediate release of Bishop Samuel Thomas who was arrested by the Kota police.

GCIC President Sajan George in his address said Christians in India should be given freedom to live their faith. Calling upon the Rajasthan government to withdraw the anti–coversion bill, which was recently passed by the state, George said Bishop Samuel Thomas has been falsely accused of his involvement in the publication of a book "Haqiqat", which insults gods and goddesses fof other religions.

Christian leaders attending the rally asked the state government to setup an independent inquiry into the whole episode to unravel the truth.

The leaders in their speeches also appealed for the safety of Christians in various parts of the country, especially in Rajasthan where they are made victims of hatred and enmity. They called up on the central government to give protections to Bishop Samuel Thomas and others who have been falsely arrested and are now being ill–treated.

Later, they submitted a memorandum to Indian President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Monmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil. In the memorandum, they've asked the government to take immediate action to release the suspended bank accounts of Emmanuel Mission. It also asked for the release of Bishop Samuel Thomas and other arrested staff members of the organisation.

The memorandum also wanted the government to drop all politically motivated charges against the leaders and staff members of the organisation.

Haqiqat, the book that has been in the center of the controversy, allegedly denigrates Ram, Krishna, Goddess Saraswati and Swami Dayanand.

The book, written by M.G. Mathews is purportedly published by Bishop M.A. Thomas of Truths and Life Publication of Kerala, who is also the founder of Emmanuel Mission.

The book, reportedly an analytical study on the "Bunch of Thoughts" written by RSS idealogue M.S. Golwalkar, was sold in Rajasthan but was stopped following widespread protests. According to news reports, the police have arrested its Hindi translator, Dennis Nathaniel.

On February 28, the police revoked, without due process or hearing, all the operating licenses of Hopegivers–supported bookstores, churches, hospitals, leprosy and HIV–AIDS outreaches, orphanages, printing presses, schools and other institutions. Rajasthan’s government has also recently threatened to cut off electricity and water to the Hopegivers’ orphanage and hospital in Kota.

All of Hopegivers’ Kota bank accounts have been frozen and two of the business administrators of the mission and orphanage were arrested and have now been held for over three weeks without charge. As a result, the hospital, orphanages and schools managed by the ministry in Kota and throughout Rajasthan are operating on a cash basis and living day–to–day.