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India's secular credentials under threat, say church leaders

Syed Zarir Hussain in Guwahati

Church leaders on Saturday said the secular credentials of India was under threat with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee falsely accusing Christian missionaries of carrying out forcible conversions.

"Vajpayee spoke more like a religious fanatic. His statement vilifying the church, without any evidence, has put a big question mark over India's secular nature," said George Plathottam, president of the Indian Catholic Press Association.

"The statement from the prime minister has led to a sense of insecurity among the country's minorities and only goes to legitimise those perpetrating attacks on religious leaders," Plathottam said in Guwahati.

Speaking at a book release function attended by top Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh leaders, Vajpayee last week reportedly said some Christian missionaries were abusing their position to attempt religious conversions.

The prime minister's remarks came under fire from political liberals and minority leaders across India.

"Christians and Muslims in India are presently under threat with radical Hindu groups, backed by the BJP-led government, attacking and defaming the two minority communities," said a Muslim leader Maulana Hamid Ahmed.

"The BJP and its frontal groups have always been making false charges about our madrassas (Islamic religious schools) aiding and abetting anti-India activities," he said.

Radical Hindu groups view the Christian missionary movement, particularly in India's insurgency-hit northeast, with deep suspicion. The church is accused of supporting violent separatist campaigns by outlawed rebels in the region.

"There are about 2,000 Christian missionaries active in the northeast and most of them openly support separatist militants, morally and financially," charged Arvind Bhattacharya, general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

"The activities of the missionaries, particularly the Baptist churches, should be kept under watch by the government, for they support secessionist campaigns and indulge in forced conversions," he said

However, even Christian missionaries have not been spared in the insurgency-wracked region and at least 20 of them have been gunned down during the past 10 years.

Christians account for about 15 percent of the total 32 million population in the seven northeastern states. Three states - Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya - are predominantly Christian.

Indo-Asian News Service

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