http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Christians_SCSTs_uphold_conversion_as_constitutional_right/articleshow/3595972.cms
Christians, SC/STs uphold conversion as constitutional right 14 Oct 2008, 2154 hrs IST,PTI NEW DELHI: Upholding conversion as a constitutional right, a group of Christian and SC and ST leaders have said that depriving this right will have g rave consequences and demanded a ban on VHP and Bajrang Dal. "Taking away the right to convert will have grave consequences," said noted Christian leader John Dayal, who is a member of the National Integration Council. "How can you stop from listening to your conscience? I was a Christian, then a non-believer Marxist for 25 years and now I am Christian again," said Dayal, on the occasion of World Religious Freedom Day, and called for a ban on saffron groups like VHP and Bajrang Dal. Members of the All India Federation of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes also demanded their right to conversion under the constitution. President of Indian Justice Party and chairman of SC/ST Confederation, Udit Raj, said, "I have no right to convert but we have right to get converted." "Communalism is a threat. But caste politics is bigger threat that affects us indirectly. It outweighs itself on development, education and encourages corruption," said Raj. In a joint statement issued by Archbishop of the Delhi Diocese Vincent Concessao, Dayal and St Stephens' College Principal Valson Thampu, the leaders also sought stern action against the assassins of Hindu preacher Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati and enactment of Communal Violence Bill. "Conversion is a human right that is guaranteed by the Constitution. Accusations of forced conversion is part of a strategy that is repeated time and again," Concessao said. Seeking reservations for Christian Dalits and Christian tribals, Thampu said a commission like the Justice Sachar committee be formed to assess the development status of the Christian community.
