Christian forum criticises Govt. 'doublespeak'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY. 5. The All-India Christian Council has expressed serious concern over the ``double speak'' of the Central Government on the recent attacks on Christian institutions, nuns and workers. While the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, has assured Parliament that Christians will be defended against attacks by religious fanatics, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) and the BJP spokesperson have given a clean chit to the communal elements.

The Council was surprised at the lightening speed at which the NCM enquiry was conducted. ``No one has answered the questions raised by the Catholic Bishop of Agra and the independent investigation carried by Christian bodies who have statements signed by the victims indicating the role of communal elements,'' the Council said in a statement.

Referring to yet another attack on nuns in Jhansi, the Council claimed it was ``direct result of the message the Government is sending out to the culprits by constantly giving them a clean chit.'' It said that Christian workers from the Tamil Nadu-based Friends Missionary Band have also been attacked in the Dangs area in Gujarat. It called upon the NDA partners of the BJP-led coalition Government to bring a halt to these attacks.

Criticising the attack on Mr. John Dayal, National Secretary of the All-India Catholic Union and National Convener of the United Christian Forum for Human Rights, by the BJP spokesperson on Thursday, the Council said it was wrong on the part of the party spokesperson to single out Mr. Dayal and insinuate ``political motives'' to his human rights activities.

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