Belagavi ; All denominations Christians from Belagavi have objected the proposed survey of Christian missionaries and their places of worship by the State Government . They have also questioned Government of Karnataka’s plan to introduce the anti conversion law in the state, terming it as futile and unnecessary.
A delegation of All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights headed by Rev Derek Fernandes, Bishop of Belgaum Diocese on friday submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner M G Hiremath.
“ We have noticed that the Backward & Minority Welfare Department of Karnataka wishes to make a survey of the Christian missionaries and their places of worship. This exercise is futile and unnecessary as no good will come out of it. Such surveys are dangerous in view of the conversion bogey and anti-religious feelings being whipped up resulting in targeting of our places of worship, priests, pastors and sisters. Such sporadic incidents are being reported from North India and in Karnataka. This seems to be a planned strategy” the memorandum states.
Questioning the survey by the government Christians have also asked why only Christians are being targeted?
“Some broad-minded and enlightened leaders, succumb to pressures from fundamentalist groups, indulged in disturbing the harmony and peaceful co-existence in the society. Let the government count the educational institutions and health centres run by the Christian missionaries. This will give a fair idea of the service that is rendered by the Christians in nation building. How many are converted in these institutions? Hence, allegations of conversions against Christians are false as the percentage of Christian population is dwindling compared to other communities,” Bishop Derek Fernandes said.
“We are against forceful, fraudulent and incentivised conversions. We emphasise that we are lawfully abiding by the prescriptions of the Constitution of India, which is supreme. However, the Constitution in Article 25 (also 26, 29 & 30) ensures freedom of citizen to profess, practice and propagate his/her religion without fear or force. Then do we need any anti-conversion laws as there are enough safeguards enshrined in the Constitution based on which the guilty can be punished. The Christian Community is patriotic, law abiding and would like to be foremost in the service of the poor and downtrodden in the country, however, we fear that such laws will only be misused by a few to hound and persecute the innocent. Hence we need support and encouragement from the government.” Bishop Fernandes stated further.
We feel that the present commotion is only to fulfill the wish of those who are bent upon getting the Anti-Conversion law, which should not be allowed at any cost for reasons mentioned above, Christian leaders have said.
Bishop Derek Fernandes, Rev Nandukumar, Rev K Vijay Prakash, Clara Fernandes, Fr Pramod Kumar, Fr Philip Kutty, Fr Nelson Pinto, Rev Nooruddin Mulla, Rev Martin, Rev Thomas, Rev Cherian, Louis Rodrigues and others were present.
