Press Statement

All India Christian Council launches Erode District office bearers

Holds consultation with Muslim leaders and Dalit leaders in the region

Condemns the increasing attacks on Christians in Karnataka

[The following is the text of the Statement issued by Dr. Sam Paul, National Secretary, All India Christian Council (aicc), Rev Dr. K.B. Edison, State President, Tamilnadu, aicc & Rev. K.S. Kandasamy, Erode District President]

Erode, June16, 2010

The All India Christian Council today launched the District chapter of Erode District Tamilnadu.  A Seminar held by the Council at Oxford Hotel was attended by over 275 Pastors, Christian leaders from all denominations of Christian faith. The Council State President prayed and the declared the team of leaders for the District Chapter:   Rev. K.S. Kandasamy is the President, Pastor MJ Stanley the Secretary and  Pastor Alen C. Suresh Kumar the Treasurer of the District Chapter that will be coordinating with a team of leaders representing all denominations.

The Council leaders along with local Christian leaders held consultations with Dalit leaders on 15^th June for several hours in the day.  Several Dalit organizations and their leaders were present in this meeting that held deliberations with the National Secretary and the State President.  They also led a team of local Christian leaders to meet with the local Muslim leaders and representatives in the Old Masjid Road.  The meetings discussed on the issues facing the minorities and marginalized and resolved to work in unity for the welfare and development of these communities.

Speaking to the gathering of the leaders, Dr. Sam Paul, National Secretary, aicc has appreciated the District authorities for maintaining peace and harmony in the District.  He deplored the situation in Karnataka where the ruling party itself is conniving with the local religious extremists in harassing the Christian community.   “The hate campaign and calumny spread by the official representatives of some extremists groups there is highly dangerous for the secular fabric of the nation.  The Karnataka state government and the Union Home ministry should take appropriate and adequate steps to curtail the ongoing attacks and to arrest hate campaign,” he said. 

The meeting also made a resolution that the victims of religious violence in Orissa should be adequately compensated and justice brought on time.  They observed that the pending re-construction of the Churches destroyed in the violence needs urgent attention as announced to the world by the Prime Minister that all Churches will be rebuilt.