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Christian organisation calls for BJP's defeat

An umbrella group of Christian organisations has appealed to the people to vote for persons and parties committed to strengthening the secular polity and democratic rights. In a statement in Delhi, Christians for a Secular Democratic India said their appeal was the result of in-depth discussion of the contemporary social context in Delhi, Kochi, Madras and Ahmednagar.

Stating that the historical significance of the 1999 Lok Sabha polls was next only to the 1977 election, the statement said that while the issue before the electorate in 1977 was personal dictatorship versus democratic freedoms, today the choice was between religious fanaticism/fascism and secular democracy.

Claiming that little that is worthwhile was achieved during the past year of Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition rule, the organisations said in this period national security was jeopardised, the economy put on the backburner, social harmony disrupted and political instability unleashed.

Among the 40 signatories to the statement were bishop George Ninan from Bombay, Rajan Singh from Nagpur, Ruth Manorama from Bangalore, Air Marshal D Keelor, Dr Raja Chelliah, John Dayal and Dr Richard Howell.

UNI

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