Dear goanetters, === To-days newspapers reported that the BJP's are wooing Christian votes in Goa. I received the following from AICC...
"From: All India Christian Council <[email protected]> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:06:13 +0530 Subject: A BJP MLA Son Led A Crowd Attack A Pastor and Church In Delhi To: [email protected] All India Christian Council Palam Vihar, Dwarka, New Delhi 110 075 Email [email protected], www.indianchristians.in For Immediate Press Release A BJP MLA Son Attacked A Pastor and Church in Delhi New Delhi, August 23, 2010 A crowd numbering around 150 led by a BJP MLA’s son attacked a pastor and Church at Qutabgarh in East West Delhi yesterday. AICC Fact Finding team is rushing to spot today to stock the situation. According to sources, reaching to All India Christian Council late night yesterday says that Shri Biju son of Shri Chanram, a Bharatiya Janta Party MLA led a crowd, believed to be the members of Hindutva fanatics attacked Pastor Isaac Jaal while he was coming home after conducting Sunday prayer service in the church. Shri Biju and the crowd came with lethal sticks, trisuls (triangle spears) and beaten Pastor Isaac mercilessly and his life was threatened if he continues to conduct prayer meeting in the church. He suffers internal injuries and police came latter did not take him to hospital for medical nor examination. Rev. Dr. Abraham Sahu, Delhi NCR Chapter President of All India Christian Council reported the matter to local police official and appealed for ensure the safety and protection of the pastor and church members. Later Pastor Isaac reported to Delhi Office of All India Christian Council this morning and found out that written complaint is given to local police but no First Information Report (FIR) is registered and no action taken. All India Christian Council team of Delhi and NCR is informed immediately and they are on way to fact-finding mission this morning. Team will first meet Pastor Isaac and thereafter police authorities to appeal for the registration of the complaint and take action against the perpetuators. The fear is being spread among Christian minorities across the nation including national capital by the organised attacks by the Hindutva fundamentalist. The law enforcement authorities must ensure the freedom of rights, equality and protection must be provided to all communities, particularly the Christian minorities who have been targeted currently by the fanatic groups. The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders. Released by Madhu Chandra Regional Secretary 9716004939 -- Sent from my mobile device -- Sent from my mobile device === And a couple of days earlier: "New Delhi, August 21, 2010 Religious fanatic believed to be the members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindutva fanatics) attacked a pastor who helps two Bible college students working among Devadasis (Formally known temple prostitutes) at Mahalingapura of Bagalkot district in Karnataka. The fanatics forcefully taken to local police station and detained whole night in police station. According to sources reaching to All India Christian Council (aicc), two students of International College of Cultural Studies went to a village near by Mahalingapura with help of Pastor Anoop for film show on August 19. A crowd numbering around 350 came and attacked film show at around 8 PM. Pastor Anoop was severely beaten and film equipment – LCD projector, DVD player, Generators and Amplifier and Speaker box worth of nearly Rs 100,000 was snatched by the fanatics and later returned back. Pastor Anoop was forcefully taken and detained in Police station. The fanatics attempted to take two women also and some how left as the villagers pleaded. They were called to police station next day. The Belgaum District committee of All India Christian Council and Dalit leaders rushed to police station met the concerned police authorities defending that the allegation brought to Pastor Anoop and two women are baseless. Pastor Anoop and women were released without any charges against them. The fanatics were warned by police authorities not to disturb Pastor Anoop and assure protection. Anand Kumar, General Secretary of All India Christian Council, Karnataka says, “Pastor Anoop’s wife, children and two students were traumatized and suffer panic.” The Christian minority in the state of Karnataka have been going through severe persecution ever since the Bharatiya Janta Party has come to the power. “The attack on Christian minorities is the assault on Indian secularism and democracy by the religious fanatics. The law enforcement agencies of the state must ensure the safety of civil societies irrespective of religion, caste and race,” says Anand Kumar. The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders. Madhu Chandra Regional Secretary 9716004939" One day, and if we are not gullible and naive our kin will end up being temple prostitutes - by that time Portugal may not issue passports and the British close their doors even. Let widsom and good sense prevail. Joseph UK /Goa * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ISSUES BEING DEBATED: In East Africa, despite colonialism, the British afforded the Goan a sliver of a socio-political voice. Read *Into The Diaspora Wilderness* by Selma Carvalho. Soon to be available in Toronto. Pp 290. Via mail-order from [email protected] http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
