Thousands of Christians joined a rally in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan on 22 March 2006 to protest against the alarming increase in violent attacks against the community.

The rally, held outside the state assembly, was backed by the opposition Congress and Left parties. The protesters condemned the arrest of Bishop Samuel Thomas at Kota and the closure of educational and charitable institutions run by Emmanuel Mission International in the town.

They also shouted slogans against Social Welfare Minister Madan Dilawar for spearheading an agitation against Christians and institutions run by the community in Kota.

The rally was addressed by MP Raj Babbar, Abraham Mathai of the All India Christian Council, Congress leader Mohan Prakash and leaders of the Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India-Marxist.

"Ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the state, it has Madan Dilawar to trouble the Christians by attacking the institutions run by them in Kota," Babbar said. He claimed Hindu fundamentalists had attacked Christians at Kota, Banswara and Dungarpur after alleging they were involved in converting Hindus.

The allegations were not true and no forced conversions had taken place, he said.

Rajasthan Police arrested Bishop Samuel Thomas, the Chairperson of Emmanuel Mission International near Delhi on 16 March 2006. The Police had been looking for Dr Samuel and his father Bishop MA Thomas in connection with inciting communal passions by publishing a controversial book titled Haqeeqat.

The book, written by MG Mathew, was distributed through the mission's outlets. Hindu groups said it contained derogatory references to Hindu gods and some Hindu preachers and holy rivers.