Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Bishops fear misuse

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Oct. 11. The Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council has described the State Government's ordinance prohibiting conversions as `draconian', which has been promulgated with a view to `terrorising' Dalits and minorities.

"It is unconstitutional and should be withdrawn immediately", the council's president, Rev. Fr. Arul Das, said today.

Addressing mediapersons here, Rev.Arul Das feared that the ordinance, like the Prevention of Terrorism Act, would be misused. Where was the need for the ordinance, when the existing laws were sufficient to punish those indulging in `forcible' conversion. He asked how many cases of forcible conversion were reported in the State. Christianity, he said, considered forcible conversion a sin.

The general secretary of the Dalit Panthers of India, R.Tirumavalavan, said the ordinance was targeted at the Dalits and minority communities, which had been doing service to the Dalits and the downtrodden The ordinance was introduced at the `instigation' of Hindutva forces, he said. Thanking political parties that opposed the ordinance, the council warned that it would launch a series of agitations till the Government withdrew the ordinance.

It would organise Statewide demonstrations on October 19 and close all educational institutions on October 24, on the date of beginning of the Assembly session.

The National Council of Churches in India, said the "motive behind the measure is political rather than a reasoned response.'' Appealing to the Government to withdraw the ordinance, it said the State Government should help the Dalits live in dignity. The People's Union for Civil Liberties (Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry) Unit was "deeply disturbed'' by the ordinance. "We believe that the ordinance can severely restrict the freedom of religion, speech and association, apart from encouraging assaults on the rights of minorities.''

The ordinance would be a hindrance to communal harmony. "We call on all right-thinking citizens to oppose the ordinance and to demand its repeal. We appeal to the Assembly members to ensure that it is not passed and any action taken in the meanwhile nullified at the time of lapse of the ordinance.''

The Chairperson of the State Minorities Commission, Annamma Philips, said the commission sought an appointment with the Chief Minister to express the minorities' concern. The State coordinator of the Shiv Sena, V.Murali described the ordinance a bold initiative.

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