Christian Leaders Urge Advani “To Direct BJP Ruled Govts To Enforce Law To Protect Minorities"

BHOPAL, APR. 30, 2008 (CBCI News):

In response to BJP leader LK Advani’s claim "BJP is neither anti-minority or anti Christian", leaders from Madhya Pradesh have urged him to “direct the Party workers and BJP ruled state governments to enforce law to protect the status of Christians in the states.”

In his letter dated Apr. 28, addressed to Mr Advani, the spokesperson of Madhya Pradesh Catholic Bishops’ Council, Fr. Anand Muttungal has requestted him to rein in the fundamentalist elements.

The following is the full text of the letter dated 28 April 2008:

To
Shri. L . K Advaniji
Leader of Opposition &
Senior BJP Leader
30 , Pritviraj Marg Road
New Delhi -110003

Sub: - Request to consider the points shared with people of Kerala regarding Christians.

Dear Sir,

I am very pleased to read the News published in Hindustan Times dated 27th April 2008. I feel happy about your experience and views regarding Christians which you shared with people of Kerala. I would like to highlight some of the points published in the paper quoting

1.As quote , “We love Christianity ------------ we deeply value the contribution of our Christian brethren both to Indian freedom struggle and to India’s nation building in the post – independence era”.

I am very happy to know that your good self and your party love Christians and their contribution to the nation building. I would like to call your attention to the atrocities against Christians in Madhya Pradesh. In December 2003 BJP Jhabua unit along with VHP, RSS and Bajrang Dal began to attack the Christians. This continued during the tenure of Ms. Umabharti and Shri. Babulal Gaur. When Shri. Shivraj Singh Chauhan took charge we had approached him too, with request to stop these fundamental organizations from falsely (unjustly) attacking the Christians and initiate strict action against the miscreants. When BJP completes its five years, we have over one hundred such incidents in Madhya Pradesh. The state Government have not been able to protect the rights of Christians. I feel that it may be better for your good self to remind the BJP leaders in M.P and very specially the Government of Madhya Pradesh , the policy of BJP regarding minorities and Christians. Because I always had a feeling that it may be the policy of BJP to attack and trouble the Christians in general.

2. As quote “------- Recalling that he studied at St. Patrick’s School in Karachi before India’s Partition all his teachers including Father Modestine, the Principal, were Christians, the BJP leader said: “I can not remember them without a sense of gratitude.”

I am very happy to know that Your good self have studies in Christian school run by the Catholic Church and still remain a Hindu or a person who is not converted to Christianity. In India majority of the Christian population are members of the Catholic Church. Catholic Church in the country runs over twenty thousand different educational institutions. All the office bearers and Christian leaders are Indians. There are lakhs of students studied like your good self in our schools even today the schools run by the Catholic Church are most sought after schools in India and in Madhya Pradesh too. I would like to call your attention to the fact that BJP Government in Madhya Pradesh is supporting the Party workers and members belonging to fundamental organizations who falsely accusing the principles and teachers of attempt to convert. The Freedom Religion Act in Madhya Pradesh is being misused but the Party and Government is silently supporting such elements. I see in Your good self a true witness who can remind the Party workers and Government of Madhya Pradesh that Catholic Church is not using its schools to convert anybody to Christianity but to transform India with leaders like your good self.

3. As quote” Barrister V.K John was appointed as the Party chief in the Madras province.”

It is very nice to know that Christians were part of Jan Sangh from its very inception so how could Christians be antinational. And if anybody become Christian how can that person turn against the interest of the Nation. If your good self feel good then teach this part of the history to the party men and members affiliated to party from fundamental organizations.

I believe that all these statements your good self have made are from the bottom of your heart and is not with any political motive. I request your good self; please direct the Party workers and BJP ruled state governments to enforce law to protect the status of Christians in the states.

I remain in Love

Yours truly,

Fr. Anand Muttungal
PRO & Spokesperson
Catholic Church, M.P

Copy To State BJP President
Chief Minister and Ministers of the Cabinet