By Mumtaz Alam
New Delhi, Oct 29, 2019: A group of Christian leaders on October 29 demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give representation to their community in his cabinet and order the police agencies to stop violence against the community in the country.
They also demanded withdrawal of anti-conversion laws in the garb of which innocent Christians and pastors are harassed.
“The Constitution is not being respected properly. Not only minorities but marginalized people are also facing atrocities. As a nation, we have forgotten how to respect human being. We oppose this government for its ideology. Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is just a jumla,” said A C Michael, national convener, United Christian Forum, while addressing a press conference at the Press Club of India in New Delhi.
He put up four demands before the government.
“We are 2.3 percent of the country’s population. Every community has representation in the government. K J Alphonse was member of the previous Modi government. We legitimately demand the government to have a member of the Christian community in the cabinet,” he said.
“Seven states have Freedom of Religion Act. This act is actually denying freedom of religion. Article 25 allows everyone living in India to profess, practice and propagate his or her religion. The government is taking away this right. This is actually anti-conversion law. What was the need for this law when no court has found any forced conversion? We demand withdrawal of such laws,” said the Christian leader.
Armed with figures, he said that violence against the Christian community has been on the rise in the last few years.
“Atrocities against Christians are on the rise. In 2014, less than 150 incidents of violence against the community were reported. In 2016, the tally went up to 200 and in 2017 it further went northward to the tally of 270 incidents. In 2018, there were 292 incidents of violence against Christians. And in 2019 (till September) 247 cases, 60 alone in UP, have been reported. In UP last year, 40 churches were stopped to function. In Chhattisgarh, the community and other marginalized groups are facing even social boycott. We demand the government to stop the harassment of Pastors and violence against the Christian community,” said Michael.
“Our fourth demand is that the government should stop mob lynching. It should make it a non-bailable offence. In the name of cow, not only Muslims are being attacked, Christians too are the victims. Since 2014, some 266 cases of mob violence in the name of cow have been reported.”
He told the press that a delegation of Christian leaders will meet the Home Minister tomorrow with a memorandum of demands. “We would demand him to order probe into all incidents of violence against the Christian community,” he said.
Another Christian leader Minakshi Singh said: “The community has been facing lots of problems for long in the country. Now we have decided to hit the streets. Christians are being attacked and they are blamed for conversion. We appeal to the government not to deprive us of our rights and constitutional guarantees.”
“We hope Mr. Modi will be soon able to nominate a Christian minister to his cabinet who has the confidence of the community and will be able to safeguard its interests in times to come,” she said.
She reminded the government of its responsibilities to protect the interests and well-being of religious minorities, particularly the Christians, in all walks of life.
Retired Bishop Karam Masih of Church of North India’s Delhi diocese said: “Our message should reach the world. The situation should not have reach the stage that we are forced to come out on the streets. Our rights of religion and worship should be protected. We are peace-loving people. Government should do everything to maintain peace. Government should uphold the constitutional values.”
The Christian leaders announced that hundreds of Christians from 13 states would participate in a protest march from Mandi House to Parliament House on November 30 to press their demands.
Source:.indiatomorrow.net