Date:08/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/08/stories/2006040816520400.htm

New Delhi

Protest against anti-conversion Bill

Staff Reporter

`Release Bishop Samuel Thomas'

NEW DELHI: Maintaining that the anti-conversion Bill moved by the Rajasthan Government - and passed by the Rajasthan Assembly on Friday -- is Constitutionally impermissible, members of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) along with their supporters held a protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar here on Friday.

Christians from all parts of Delhi and neighbouring areas participated in the rally that called for justice to Christians and immediate release of Bishop Samuel Thomas who was arrested by the Rajasthan police.

Council president Sajan George in his address said Christians in India should be given freedom to practise their faith. He said Bishop Samuel Thomas was falsely accused of involvement in the publication of a book called `Hakikat' which allegedly insults gods and goddesses of other religions. He called on the State Government to set up an independent inquiry into the whole episode so that the truth was placed before the public.

In memoranda to President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, the Christian leaders asked the Central Government to show their commitment to the secular nature of the Constitution and urged the Government to take necessary and immediate steps to lift the "freeze" on their bank accounts by the Rajasthan Government.

The protestors also demanded that appropriate action be taken to release Dr. Samuel Thomas and others members of the organisation who were arrested by the Rajasthan police in connection with the case.