Why call converts anti-nationals, Christians ask Chouhan

Calcutta News.Net
Tuesday 30th September, 2008 (IANS)

An organisation of Christians Tuesday asked Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to respond to a controversial remark by a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader against their community.

Anand Muttungal of Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh told reporters here that Thavarchand Gehlot, a BJP leader, at a 'Karyakarta Mahakumbh' (BJP workers conclave) Sep 25 allegedly said that after converting these people (Christians) will support the organisations involved in anti-national activities.

Anand, who is also a spokesperson for Catholic Bishops Council, said that the communal forces were unleashing violence against the Christian community across the country, including in Madhya Pradesh. 'We have met the chief minister, governor and others for our security but to no avail,' he said.

'On September 24, the chief minister assured us that the Christian community will be given full protection but the very next day Gehlot made such a wild allegation against our community in the presence of the chief minister, several ministers and senior leaders of the ruling party. It is a clear example of how the ruling party is trying to flare up communal passion,' he said.

He said that the state government must answer how such a malicious allegation was levelled against the entire Christian community in the presence of the chief minister and his ministerial colleagues.

'We do not believe in violence in any form, including terrorism, and will be launching a series of protests in the state to press the government for a probe into all atrocities against the Christian community that have taken place in Madhya Pradesh,' he said.

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