ICC Note
Christians in India are working anxiously to ensure police protection for tribal Christians in the areas around the Hindu festival in Gujarat beginning Saturday.
The Times of India (02/10/06) All India Christian Council (AICC) members have appealed to Maharashtra deputy chief minister RR Patil to protect tribal Christians along the state’s border districts during and after the Shabri Kumbh mela in Dangs, beginning Saturday.
A delegation which met Patil also sought enforcement of prohibitory orders (under Section 144 of CrPC) in the districts of Nandurbar, Nashik and Dhule as a preventive measure.
Incidentally, a CD being circulated by the RSS ahead of Shabri Kumbh highlights these areas in Maharashtra as places where the Hindu population is dwindling.
AICC general secretary Abraham Mathai, joint secretary Samson Christian, film maker Mahesh Bhatt and Citizens for Justice and Peace founder Teesta Setalvad, Mumbai-based lawyer Majid Memon and ex-minister Girish Parmar formed the delegation.
Their memorandum to Patil on Tuesday states that they had reasons to believe that ” Gujarat has collaborated with the Sangh Parivar in a systematic campaign to divide the Dangi tribals on religious and communal lines and pit them against each other. [Go To Full Story]
