ASIA/INDIA - Christians to the government: "We are not terrorists"

Friday, 10 October 2014

Bhopal (Agenzia Fides) - Christians in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh have sent a letter reminding the government that they are "not terrorists and are not involved in criminal or anti-social activities" As Fides learned, the letter was sent after the local police refused the permission to allow a Christian gathering in the city of Jobat, in the district of Alirajpur. The meeting was organized on October 1, by the "Moksha Foundation", based in Jhabua, in collaboration with the "All India United Christian Front" forum.
Permission was denied after the episode of the controversial marriage between a young Christian and a Hindu woman, that had provoked some religious tensions in the area (see Fides 06/10/2014).
The police asked the President of the Moksha Foundation detailed and personal information about the association, including information on sources of funding and its members. "Normally the police resort to such measures under the pressures of radical Hindu nationalist organizations", explains Fr. P.J. Johny, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Madhya Pradesh in a statement sent to Fides. "We ask ourselves why such controls are carried out and why has permission been denied", he adds. Christians will try to re-organize the meeting as soon as possible. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/10/2014)


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