GCIC submits memorandum to President seeking justice

Christian representatives under the leadership of Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), last week, 22 September, after the conclusion of the Christian Rights Rally, submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Karnataka, to be directed to the President of India.

The memorandum stating the plights of Christians in India – illuminated the President with the latest persecutions and escalating violence perpetrated against Christians in the state for the past 20 months.

"There are attempts to demonise the Christian community through allegations of force, fraud and inducement to convert – through offering services such as education or jobs. Laws aimed at preventing conversion through force, fraud and inducement has been passed in several states," indicated the letter.

Speaking of the Christians service rendered to the society, the letter remarked, "A large section of the Christian community, including the cream of our young men and women have dedicated their lives to socially productive activities full–time.”

“Even though they can easily choose to migrate to any country and enjoy a very good quality of life due to their qualifications, they choose to work in Indian running schools, hospitals, orphanages, leprosy rehabilitation centers, nursing schools, counseling centers, colleges which are known for their excellence, etc."

Urging the President to render justice, the letter enumerated and appealed:

1. To call for an independent investigation into the atrocities against the Christian minorities in India, and especially in Karnataka in the recent past, by a specially empowered group in a speedy and time–bound manner.

2. To enquire into the reason for the blatant discrimination by the State law–and–order machinery and the judiciary in the matter of incidents against Christians, and their support to the unconstitutional activities and antisocial behavior of persons against the Christians.

3. In cases where undue delay in investigations are established, to fix responsibility at the appropriate level and take punitive administrative and criminal action against those responsible.

4. Baseless reports against the Christians and Christian institutions in the vernacular media have fuelled hate crimes against the Christians in several states, notably Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

5. To investigate the rape of an 8–year old girl, a daughter of an impoverished Dalit worker in Bidar for her religious identity. GCIC has also brought the matter to the notice of the National Human Rights Commission and National Commission for Women.

6. Finally, to exercise Constitutional Authority and repeal the 1950 Presidential Ordinance which has denied the Constitutional Rights of Christians of Dalit Descent.

Christians in the state are fervently praying that the memorandum can have a positive response and put an end to the scaling violence against Christians in the country.