Official's visit revivify Christians in Madhya Pradesh

A federal official's visit to the besieged communities in Madhya Pradesh, brings new hopes to Christians in the state, say Church leaders.

Last week, the vice chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), Michael Pinto, was on an official tour, to investigate complaints, and to protect the interests of the minorities.

Starting the three–day tour from Ujjain, Pinto visited Indore and Bhopal, where incidents of violence against Christians and their institutions were reported.

One of Pinto's destinations was to a mission station in Ujjain, where radical activists destroyed a church and a school on April 5. He also met with 15 Christian delegations from three cities, including Muslim and Sikh delegations.

Directing officials of the state's 48 districts to follow up persecution cases against the minorities, Pinto urged police to take action against men involved in violence.

Father Anand Muttungal, spokesperson for the Catholic Church in Madhya Pradesh, told UCA News on May 22 that Christians approached the national commission after they suffered more than 100 violent attacks since December 2003, when a pro–Hindu government assumed power in the state.

Says Prem Singh Machar, secretary of Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahashang, "Now, we feel there is someone to listen to us and our problems," adding that it has given lots of hope to the Christians.

Father Hans Puthiakulangara, spokesperson for Ujjain diocese was quoted saying, the administration was forced to initiate action after Pinto's visit. The police also arrested three people accused of manhandling a Catholic priest and destroying a village school on Feb 12, he said.

"We had repeatedly requested the police to arrest them but they never did," Father Puthiakulangara rued.

Urging people to create a peaceful atmosphere Pinto said, fear among religious minorities is a disturbing trend. "There should be no room for fear among anybody and any community in a democratic country," he said.

Pinto concluded the official tour after apprising the state governor and the chief minister of the persecutions and the much needed response from the government to protect the interests of the minorities.