Rons Bantwal for Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (AF)

Mumbai, May 31: A high-level delegation of minority community leaders called on Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh recently and urged him take strict actions against those who had attacked the Christian pastors on May 7 at Kolhapur Ichalkaranji.

A press release stated that The delegation consisted of Bishop Angelo Gracias of the Mumbai Catholic Archdiocese, Lawrence D'Souza, Maharashtra president of the All-India Catholic Union, Dr Abraham Mathai, president of the Indian Christian Voice and general secretary of the All-India Christian Council, Dr John Dayal, member of the National Integration Council, secretary general of the Christian Council and national president of the Catholic Union and Maulana Attar Ali, member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

The delegation impressed on the chief minister for special laws to curb threats and violence against the Christian community as general laws had failed to assure them the security of life and freedom of faith. The delegation said terrorism against the Christian community was no less threatening to the security and integrity of the nation than any other religious fundamentalist violence.

The following are excerpts of the memorandum submitted to the chief minister by the delegation:

‘For centuries, the Christian community has looked on Mumbai and in fact on Maharashtra as a heaven for the faithful, where they could live a fruitful life, profess, practice and witness Christ without fear or threat to their lives. In turn, they have enriched the life of the state beyond calculation.

In recent weeks, the Maharashtrian guarantee of safety for religious minorities, which has been better in many ways than the national average, has been brutally and rudely shattered. A horrified nation, in fact the world at large, has seen live on television images of a blood-thirsty mob all but lynching two Karnataka pastors in Kolhapur. The blows that were rained on the helpless young men by goons openly professing the Hindutva cause were as real as the allegations against the pastors were false. Can two men forcibly or fraudulently coerce entire families in a public place?’ stated the release.

The delegation also called upon the state to give monetary compensation to the two injured pastors as it gives to victims of other acts of communal violence and also urged the chief minister to take definitive action against those indulging in acts of violence.

Movement for Peace and Justice also held a press meet in this regard recently to urge the CM to bring the culprits to book. The press meet was attended by leaders of minority community and members of national councils, the release stated.