Christians take steps to fight communalism in Madhya Pradesh

Several NGOs and church organisations in Bhopal last week joined hands to fight communalism and increasing violence across Madhya Pradesh.

The Rashtriya Secular Forum, along with Isai Mahasangh and People's Research, organised a two-day meeting that roped in some 42 NGOs working with Dalit, women and minority issues.

"In recent times there has been an increase in incidents of rape, violence against women, minorities and Dalits in Madhya Pradesh. We have decided to make a core team to take up issues related to them. We have created a helpline to extend support to people who are facing troubles," said RSF convener LS Herdenia.

The meeting was addressed by former senior government officials including Director General of Police SK Dillan, Man Daima (IPS), Bageerath Prasad (IAS), M N Buch (IAS) and secular activists, Ram Puniyani, Irfan Engineer, John Antony, among others. Fr Anand Muttungal and Dr Mubarak represented faith-based organisations.

Fr Muttungal, who is the spokesperson of the Catholic Diocese of Madhya Pradesh, said a state wide conference on the issue of religious conversion will be held in the coming days.

"In Madhya Pradesh fundamental organisations are hand-in-glove with the police to tarnish the image of the Christian community. They disrupt prayer meetings and arrest people on allegations of conversions. We will definitely expose the political agenda of these organisations," said Muttungal.

To tackle the growing violence, Muttungal said his organisation has decided to launch a core committee to monitor and help organisations working for the rights of minorities, women and Dalits.

"We will talk to political parties with secular ideologies to come together to face the communal political organisations and their allied organisations," he said.

Fr Muttungal also informed of a soon to be launched state wide campaign to make the Central Government to bring the communal violence bill which was promised in the 2004 elections by the Congress Party.

Madhya Pradesh is one of six states where the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power. It ranked third among states that recorded the largest number of attacks against Christians last year.

Through the end of last week, for instance, two incidents of persecution were reported from Barwani and Chindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh.

In Chindwara, three Christians were arrested during a prayer service held at their home.

The Christians were charged with IPC 153 of Freedom of Religion Act 1968 and were produced in the court and sent for 12 days remand.

Police made the arrest allegedly under pressure from saffron groups who accused the Christians of indulging in forceful conversions.

In another incident in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh, police attempted to disrupt a three-day Gospel convention. Despite taking permission from the administration for holding the meeting, police along with fundamental organisations demanded the Christians to vacate the place.

The Barwani Christian community has declared a protest march to the collectorate next month.