Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi (ANK/DV)
Mangaluru/Udupi, Nov 19: A delegation of All Christian denominations visited the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office on Friday November 19 and submitted a memorandum against the proposed anti-conversion bill.
The memorandum said that the Christian community opposes the proposed anti-conversion bill. “What is need to introduce the law? It is wrong to blame the entire Christian community due to one or two incidents.
“The concerned department has issued an order to survey Christian missionaries and churches. What was the need of the survey? The church details are already with the government. Why do they have to conduct survey again? Those who allege about conversion can look into the details to know the reality.
“If conversion is true, then the Christian community would have been in majority by now. Today, our population is just 1.8%.
“The Christian community is involved in several social service works like running educational institutions and hospitals. Let them prove that the Christian community is involved in conversion. We are deeply hurt by the allegations made against the Christian community over conversion. We demand to withdraw the anti-conversion bill,” said the memorandum.
Fr J B Saldanha, PRO & Spiritual Director, Catholic Sabha, diocese of Mangalore said, “The entire Christian Community in Mangalore opposes the proposal of Anti-Conversion Bill in one voice and questions the need for such an exercise when sufficient laws and court directives are in place to monitor any aberration of the existing laws.”
Former MLA J R Lobo emphasising the constitutional right said, “The Indian Constitution Article 25 guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion subject to public order, morality and health. Further, Article 26 gives, “Freedom to manage religious affairs”. And, therefore, introducing such laws would infringe the rights of the citizens, especially of the minority communities.”
Stany Lobo, president, Catholic Sabha said, “The false allegation of conversions on Christian communities have disturbed the peace and unity among all Christians in Karnataka. The Government must never try to bring enmity between Christian denominations by generalising few incidents and branding our actions as conversions.”
Bishop Demetrius, Believers Church and Rev Winfred Ammanna, CSI said that Christians are known for peace, unity and social service. Thousands of schools, colleges and hospitals are run and managed by Christian Community across the State. When lakhs of students are graduating from these institutions year after year and thousands of patients irrespective of caste, creed and colour receive the best medical attention from our hospitals and care centers, but not one of them has ever been influenced, compelled or coerced to change his or her religion, they said.
Rev Prabhuraj, area chairman, CSI KSD, Rev Sandeep Theofil, MCC, Fr Jose, Orthodox Syrian, Fr Mani, Beltangady diocese, Lovely Yeldos, Puttur diocese, Pastor Donald Menezes & Pastor Ivan Monteiro, New Life, Rev Mathew, Marthoma, Fr Onil D'Souza, director, St Anthony Ashram, Sr Mariette, provincial, Bethany Sisters, Alfred Manohar, CSI, secretary, Karnataka United Christian Forum For Human Rights, Jaison Crasta, president ICYM Catholic diocese, Mangalore, Fr Ashwin Cardoza, director, ICYM Mangalore diocese, Fr J B Crasta, secretary, Laity Commission, Mangalore Catholic diocese, John D'Silva, secretary, diocesan Pastoral Parishad Mangalore, Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes, director, CCC, Mangalore diocese, and Roy Castelino, PRO, Mangalore Catholic diocese were part of the delegation.
Additional deputy commissioner Manikya accepted the memorandum in the DC’s absence.
Udupi
A delegation of Christian leaders visited the deputy commissioner to submit a memorandum against the proposed anti-conversion bill and census of Christian churches and institutions.
The delegation met deputy commisioner Kurma Rao and tahsildar of Kaup, Karkala and assistant commissioner of Kundapur and submitted the memorandum.
The delegates opposed the anti-conversion bill and stated, “Based on the statements of the leaders of ruling party the media is publishing that anti-conversion bill is being enforced in the state. If at all this is true we the Christian community oppose this decision. Article 25 of Indian Constitution gives freedom of religion to all persons. The anti-conversion bill is a repression of constitutional rights. Christian community of Karnataka will never allow this to happen.
“In a meeting of the backward class welfare department it has been decided to undertake a census of the churches and its allied institutions in the state. The police intelligence department has given the responsibility to undertake this task. Article 15 of the Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. Thus being in the constitution how the government can undertake a census just targeting the Christian community. Prior to this a caste based census has also been taken place in the state. All the documents and details of the churches are available with the government already. Christian community in the state has been involved in the educational and healthcare sector. Selfless service is being rendered by the community. This will continue to the ages. If the anti-conversion law is enforced it will be a tool for the established interest groups.
“Considering our request government should withdraw from implementing anti-conversion law and census of the churches and institutions should also not to be undertaken,” the memorandum stated.
Representatives from Udupi Catholic diocese, CSI, Syrian, United Basel Mission, Full Gospel Church, Syro Malabar church, Syro Malankar church, Catholic Sabha, Karnataka Christian Okkuta and others were present.