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Conversions will continue, says Christian group

The United Christian Association, one of the bodies organising a nation-wide 'protest day' tomorrow against the atrocities on minorities, today criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Gujarat and declared that "as long as mankind is there on the face of the earth, conversion is going to take place".

In a statement in Ahmedabad, UCA president Rev Yohannan Mathew and secretary P T Joseph said religion is a personal matter and the state has nothing to do with people's beliefs and conscience.

They expressed surprise that "those who always clamour for admission of their wards in Christian schools and institutions are masterminding attacks on Christians", and added that children of most politicians and 'fundamentalists' are studying in Christian schools.

But even as Christian organisations announced their resolve to go ahead with the closure of schools run by them tomorrow, the Gujarat government intensified security arrangements and warned of "stern action" against anyone violating the rules.

The government has ordered a full alert all over the state in view of tomorrow's 'protest day', as also 'black day' on December 6.

Patrolling in sensitive areas has been intensified. Precautions are also being taken in view of the recent arrest of infiltrators from Pakistan into the border district of Kutch.

Meanwhile, in an official release in Gandhinagar, Deputy Commissioner of Education G J Rawal said closure of educational institutions tomorrow would amount to a violation of the terms and conditions of recognition granted to such institutions.

This might attract curtailment of grants from the state government, he warned.

He asked education officers to send in their reports about the situation in their respective districts by 1400 hours tomorrow.

UNI

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