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Mario has very nicely stated why it would be unwise to trust what is reported
by a journalist who has an overt bias in favor or against one side in a
communal conflict. I illustrate below how in the past the National Commission
of Minorities has disputed the "facts" reported by the religious campaigner
that Frederick used as the only source in one of his recent articles.
THE ALLEGATION OF COMMUNAL VIOLENCE by Frederick's source
"The aicc and AICU sent a team of academicians and human rights activists
including John Dayal, and Jesuit Fathers Jacob and Sebastian to Mathura to
assess the situation in western UP. The aicc/AICU statement reminded
authorities that though each incident of violence had its own genesis, they
were knit in a pattern because of the campaign of hate and openly declared
mission of the Sangh Parivar that they will oppose missionary activity in the
country using force if required. In the latest incident in Haryana 3 nuns of
the FMM order going to the midnight Easter mass at the Rewari Catholic Church
were stalked and attacked by unknown men on a scooter on Saturday/Sunday
midnight."
Excerpt from a statement issued by Joseph D'Souza, Chairman, All India
Christian Council and John Dayal, National Secretary for Public Affairs, All
India Christian Council on April 25, 2000
For the full statement please see this link:
http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1369/42/
REFUTATION OF THE ALLEGATION by The National Commission of Minorities
"The Deputy commissioner of Rewari accompanied by Fr. Philip and two nuns Sr.
Ludmila D'souza and Sister Gertrude Ashram, Rewari visited the commission on
27th April, 2000 on the request of the commission to brief on the incident
which took place on 22nd April, 2000 where in two out of the three nuns were
injured. Sister Ludmila who was unhurt gave out the details of the accident.
The Deputy commissioner was of the view that this is a case of an accident and
there were no communal overtones. This was fully corroborated by Fr. Philip
Parmar and the two nuns who went to the extent of stating that the motive
behind the publicity with regard to the above accident is not understood as the
atmosphere in Rewari has all along been very peaceful. They also mentioned that
some western forces were trying to give a political colour to the incident and
create a wedge among the Hindus and Christians residing in the town. We are
therefore of the view that this is a
case of simple accident and that no communal meaning be attributed to it."
Excerpt from a report prepared by the National Commission of Minorities team
consisting of Justice Mohammed Shamim, Chairman, Mr. Tarlochan Singh,
Vice-Chairman, and two members, Mr. John Joseph and Lt. Gen. A. M. Sethna
(Retd) sometime after April 27, 2000
For the full report please contact The National Commission of Minorities at
http://ncm.nic.in/
Cheers,
Santosh
