NMC invitation to VHP flayed

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 9. The CPI(M) politburo member, Mr. V. S. Achuthanandan, has taken strong exception to the National Minorities' Commission (NMC) decision to invite the Bajrang Dal and Viswa Hindu Parishad to the meeting of Hindu and Christian religious leaders being held on July 11.

In a statement here today, Mr. Achuthanandan said the Minority Commission's decision was most deplorable as the Bajrang Dal and the VHP were in the forefront of attacks on minorities, particularly Christians and Muslims. Such attacks had claimed the lives of 13 Christian priests and nuns during the last 26 years.Mr. Achuthanandan said the appropriate thing to do was to invite Hindu religious leaders who have earned the respect of diverse sections of society through their selfless work. For centuries, Hindus and Christians have been living in amity in this country. The attempt of the Sangh Parivar organisations, ever since their origin, has been to drive a wedge between the two and create an atmosphere of mutual hatred.

The initial target of the Sangh Parivar organisations was the Muslims. Later, they began attacking Christians as well. The Minority Commission's attempt to depict such attacks as clashes between the religions was totally erroneous and would prove counter-productive. The Sangh Parivar has sought to justify the attacks on Christian priests and nuns by holding them guilty of religious conversions.

Every Indian citizen is free to follow the religion of his choice. The Sangh Parivar stand is aimed at nullifying this right. Under the circumstances, the Minority Commission's invitation to the Bajrang Dal and the VHP would only help legitimise the positions taken by the two organisations. The Commission should at least now invite organisations which really represented the tolerant sections of Hindu religion. Only such a measure would help make its endeavour a success, Mr. Achuthanandan said.

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Section  : Southern States
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