From
THE BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA
St Michael's Annexe, L.J. Road, Mahim, Mumbai 400 016.
Tel: 24463853 . email: contact@bcsabha.org
URGENT PRESS STATEMENT 30/01/08
THE EDITOR
Dear Madam / Sir,
Re: Violence against the Christians in ORISSA and other parts of the Country. We demand the Governments of the States and Centre
"TO PROTECT OUR LIVES AND PROPERTIES AND ALLOW US TO PRACTISE OUR RELIGION WITHOUT FEAR".
A candle light vigil Satyagraha was held between 6.30 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. outside Our Lady of Salvation Church, [Portuguese Church], Dadar west, on January 30, 2008.
This day was chosen because of the significance of the 60th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi , which is also known as Martyr's Day.
Bishop Bosco Penha, Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay lighted the first candle as a beginning of this peace vigil service. He stated, "Christians are victimized and the government should act immediately. We have taken this protest onto the street so the secular world can see our message that these attacks must stop"
There were over a thousand activists from all over Mumbai who attended.
We condemn the brutal attacks that have taken place on Christmas eve on the Christian community in Kanhamal district of Orissa. The festival of joy and peace was vitiated by the unwarranted attacks by fundamentalist forces. It is more disgusting to observe the total break down of the law and order machinery to prevents such crimes against humanity.
In a memorandum, submitted to the National Human Rights Commission signed by Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi, Dr. John Dayal, President of the All India Catholic Union , Dr. Joseph Desouza, President of the All India Christian Council and other Christian Leaders, put at nearly 90 number of Churches burned along with the deaths of 9 people. About 600 houses were burned or vandalized and overall some 5000 people were affected by the attacks.
According to the report by All India Christian Council and All India Catholic Union, One estimate puts at four cases a week the rate of attacks against Christians in 2007.
Former Chief Justice A.H. Ahmadi had remarked at the seminar organized by the Institute of Objective Studies in Delhi on January 19, referring to the attacks on Christians and churches in Orissa ,had said that the Minorities were being marginalized and their voices silenced by instilling fear and insecurity.
The National Minority Commission in its report after visiting some of the sites in Orissa stated that the attacks on Christians in Orissa's Khandamal district in December were "preplanned" and the state Government was " negligent" in controlling the violence.
In response to Ms Gladys Staines letter, the Hon'ble Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh responded " I assure you that the Government will take all necessary steps to safeguard the fundamental rights and liberties of all sections of our society and protect their religious freedom as enshrined in the Constitution.
But immediately, thereafter there were attacks on the Christians in Chhattisgarh.
Dear PRIME MINISTER, WE WANT ACTION DOWN THE LINE TO IMPLEMENT IN EQUALITY, THE RULE OF THE LAW AND NOT MERE RHETORIC.
IS YOUR GOVERNMENT WILLING TO LISTEN TO THE CRY AND ANGUISH OF A MINISCULE MINORITY COMMUNITY WHICH HAS GIVEN SO MUCH TO THE NATION IN NATION BUILDING THROUGH ITS WORKS WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE COSTS INVOLVED.
1. Therefore our demands are as follows:
F Arrest and prosecute the VHP leader Laxshmanand Saraswati
for the instigation which resulted in this violence.
F We endorse the demand of the National Commission for Minorities that the Rehabilitation package announced by the Orissa Government should be reviewed to provide rehabilitation keeping in view the actual loss suffered by the victims of the Violence.
F Apply the Anti Conversation Law also to those who indulge in Re-Conversions
F Setting up of an Autonomous body to look into cases of communal flare-up and prosecute offenders of communal riots as suggested by the Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Justice V.N. Khare.
Besides known for our Charitable and Educational works , we will be also be now more on the streets to protest against human rights violations against humanity.
Among the other dignitaries who attended the programme were Fr. Frazer Mascarenhas, Principal of St Xavier's College, Fr. Felix D'souza, Director of Joseph Cardijn Technical School.
Best Regards,
Dolphy D'souza
President
9820226227
Supporting Organisations:
Mr. Lawrence D'souza- State President- Maharashtra –All India Catholic Union
Mr. Godfrey Pimenta- President – Sahar Citizens Forum
Mr Vivian D'souza -Vice President- Bombay East Indian Association
Mr. Nicholas Almeida- President- St John Church Save Committee
Mr. Joseph Gonsalves_ President- Dharavi Beth Bachav Samitti
--
Ram Puniyani __._,_.___
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