Christian leaders condemn anti-Christian propaganda in Tirupati being organized by Sangh Parivar to gain political mileage.

Christian leaders have condemned the anti-Christian propaganda being organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other affiliates of the Sangh Parivar to gain political mileage at the cost of peace-loving Christian community. They have also warned the anti-social elements who are part of the conspiracy to exploit Hindu vote bank that their evil designs stand exposed.

Addressing a meeting organised by All India Christian Council (aicc) in Tirupati on 9 August 2006, the Christian leaders said, “Unless they desist from anti-social activities, they will be not only far away from the power but also rejected by people.” The meeting, presided over by Rev Chittor District Chapter President of aicc JC Christopher, was attended by Christian leaders from Chittoor and Tirupathi. Dr Joseph D’Souza, National president of aicc, was the chief guest. Others who addressed the meeting included  Secretary (Public Affairs) Sam Paul, South India Coordinator Kumar Swamy, Albert Lael, Satyam Yellasiri, Mani Raj, Param Sivan, Bayya Mary and Jaiprakash.

Dr Joseph D’Souza vehemently condemned the Hindutva agenda and their fascist and anti-secular activities.  The Sangh Parivar and their unscrupulous leaders like Togadia wanted to create tensions in Tirupati and turn the pilgrim centre into another Ayodhya for political Mileage, he said.

Referring to the clarification given by Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi that her party did not support anti-conversion laws and the BJP and Sangh Parivar later branding her as anti-Hindu, Dr D’Souza said, “Neither the Christian Community nor any Christian individual is against Hindu religion. It is the Hindutva forces that are fomenting hate campaign and disturbing peace and communal harmony.”

Dr D’Souza said All India Christian Council would not tolerate their activities anymore but fight back through legal means for protection of their constitutional rights. “My presence in Tirupati is only a beginning and my support through aicc and International organizations will continue until the conspiracy is exposed and contained.”

Explaining the aims and objectives of aicc, Albert Lael said aicc was committed to serving the Christian community. “We will continue to fight for the rights of the minorities, particularly of the Dalits, to uphold their dignity,” he said.

South India Coordinator Kumar Swamy spoke about widespread persecution in Karnataka and the efforts of aicc in bringing justice and instilling confidence in the Christian Community in the State.  He said, “Although Christians are a peace-loving and service-oriented community, they are today wiser in grasping the truth and will rebut all evil designs.”

Sam Paul dwelt at length on the recent aicc meeting in Bhopal and the audience with the Governor of Madhya Pradesh.  He said the Governor assured that “he would not allow anything to harass any minorities in the State.” He recalled the efforts made by aicc to document the details about the massacre of Muslims in Gujarat to brief the international community about what happened in the State. He also spoke about the works done by aicc in Delhi on the issue of Dalit Christian Reservations.

Following Press Release was issued at the meeting:

PRESS RELEASE

9 August 2006

aicc Strongly Condemns Anti-Christian Campaign In Tirupati Region And Demands That The Government Arrest The Responsible.

The All India Christian Council (aicc) strongly condemns the deliberate anti-Christian hate campaign organised by certain fundamentalist groups whose solitary and selfish agenda is to convert this holy place into the headquarters of their fascist and anti-people activity.

The people of India are by now fully aware of the dirty politics of political parties who use religion as their trump card whenever elections are in sight. The people are now vigilant, and have repeatedly rejected communal agendas, and indeed we are sure they will do so once again.

In their cowardice and malice, these communal and fascist forces have chosen to malign and target the Christian faith, and our people, including religious personnel. While enlightened Hindus have correctly rejected such calumny and hate campaigns, some innocent people have been misled. This has also put the police and the administration under unnecessary pressure by the devious actions by communal agent provocateurs masquerading as Church workers.

The self-styled agenda of depicting the Cross by themselves, distribution of tracts through their agents, projecting RUYA Government Hospital as if it is located in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, terrorising the Nuns belonging the Sisters of Charity founded by Mother Theresa, burning of the copies of the Bible and pictures of Jesus at mass gatherings in strategic locations like Chittor, Madanapalli and Tirupati are some of the acts not only unconstitutional but also condemnable.

It is time that the Sangh Parivar and their cohorts stopped indulging in such inhuman acts and realised that the Christians are law-abiding citizens with love and care for their neighbours irrespective of their race, religion and caste. The aicc hereby warns them against dragging Christianity into their dirty politics for their selfish gains.

The general public knows the historical fact that Christian missionaries started their charity work right from the Eighteenth Century through hospitals, orphanages, widow homes, educational and rehabilitation centres in and around Tirupati.  It is a known fact that there are about 120 churches and organizations existing in the area for more than 100 years. The sentiments of both the religions are always respected and cared for by each other and there is no controversy whatsoever till the recent past.

It is therefore unanimously declared and assured on behalf of the Christian community across the nation through aicc that we are not to hurt any sentiments of any religion or person as being propagated by the vested interests. We also urge for reciprocal response from them not to hurt the sentiments of the Christian community.

It is a strategy of certain fundamentalists to stall the development of the Dalits living in and around Tirupati region out of fear that they cannot come back to power if Dalits are liberated and empowered. As part of this strategy some of the officers having Christian faith are being targeted, victimised and attacked through various means though they are not working with Tirupati Tirumala Devastanam (TTD). The declaration of the high priest of TTD that there is no propagation by Christian missionaries on Tirupati Hills, and that the fact-finding committee is a farce speaks volumes of the Sangh Parivar that wanted to create unrest in the region.  

The All India Christian Council demands that the Government take firm and spontaneous action to thwart the evil designs of the Sangh Parivar and its allied agencies by ordering a high-level investigation and also by banning provocative and hatred campaigns, besides arresting the anti-social and non-secular forces working against the Constitution.

The Council urges the Christian community, irrespective of denominations to exhibit the love of Christ, maintain peace and tranquillity in the region and to remain united. The Council is organising a PEACE PRAYER RALLY in the first week of September in Tirupati where all heads of Churches, Dalit Ministers and MLAs are expected to participate to address lakhs of people attending the rally.

Signed by

Dr Joseph D’Souza, President of aicc (National Chapter)

Rev G Samuel, President of aicc (AP Chapter)

Dr Sam Paul, Secretary (Public Affairs)

Mr. Albert Lael (Organising Secretary)

Rev Kumar Swamy (South India Coordinator)

Rev Satyam Yellasari (State Coordinator – AP)

& District Leaders of Chittoor.