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Extracts from the Indian Press

PM flays attack on Christians

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today strongly denounced what he termed as ‘condemnable acts against the Christian community in recent months by anti-social elements'. "India is a secular nation. Sarva Pantha Samabhav - equal respect for all faiths - has been the cornerstone of our culture and nationhood. My Government is fully committed to upholding this principle," Mr. Vajpayee said.

Elaborating on the imperative need of strengthening communal harmony and secular fabric of India, the Prime Minister asserted that every citizen had the fullest freedom to practice his beliefs so long as these did not interfere with another person's right to do the same. (Hindustan Times - December 5, 1998)

The National Commission for minorities welcomes Prime Minister’s statement

The National Commission for minorities has welcomed the statement of the Prime Minister expressing grave concern over the communal violence in Gujarat stop in a press statement. The Commission said the Prime Minister’s directions for curbing the anti-minority violence would go a long way in saving the fair image of the nation at the global level and rebuild the confidence of the minorities. (December 31, 1998)

Vajpayee orders punishment for anti-Christian acts

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has directed the Gujarat government to take action against those disturbing communal harmony and peace in the state. (Rediff on the net, December 30, 1998)

No place for religious bigotry: PM

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday asserted that there was no place for religious bigotry and that his government was committed to maintain social amity and peace in the country.

In a New Year message to the nation, Mr. Vajpayee said he wanted India to step into the next millennium as a strong and powerful country where every citizen, irrespective of his caste or creed could live in a prosperous, peaceful and amicable atmosphere. He reiterated the government's commitment to the people and said it would live up to their expectations and discharge its responsibilities to the best of its capability. (The Times of India – January 1, 1999)

President calls for religious tolerance

President K.R. Narayanan on Friday urged the people to make 1999 a year of ``peace, amity and happiness'' and prove themselves to be worthy of ``a tolerant and secular heritage.'' In his New Year greetings, he quoted Swami Vivekananda who had said that India was ``the only country where people have built temples for Mohammedans and Christians.''

The message, coming in the backdrop of the recent attacks on Christians in Gujarat and other parts of the country, recalled Swami Vivekananda's words: ``I am proud to belong to a religion which taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We not only believe in universal tolerance, but accept all religions as true.''

Home minister L.K. Advani, who has not minced any words in attacking the violence against Christians, may take the national executive into confidence and brief his colleagues on the findings of an official committee that is believed to have submitted to him a report on the incidents. (The Times of India – January 2, 1999)

More than 100 people arrested

According to an official spokesman of the State Government, 30 offences have been registered from December 25 till yesterday and 116 persons belonging to both the warring communities arrested in connection with the 25 cases detected. In addition, 44 persons were taken into custody under preventive detention. Seven persons were arrested in connection with the attack on the Deepdarshan school hostel in Ahwa and another six persons for the attack on the Navjyot School in Subbir, about 30 km from Ahwa, the district headquarters. (The Hindu – January 5, 1999)

Vajpayee to visit Dangs

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will leave for Gujarat tomorrow to see for himself the situation in Dangs district where Christians were allegedly under attack. He will also visit the state capital Gandhinagar where he will hold discussions with Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel and senior officials. Vajpayee is likely to meet some Christian leaders as well during the visit. (Rediff on the net – January 6, 1999)

A letter from Mr. Neal C. Wilson
President, World Headquarters, Seventh-day Adventist Church
Silver Spring, MD 20904 USA

Several articles recently have suggested and described how badly Christians are being treated in India. As the son of a foreign Christian missionary and spiritual leader, I was privileged to live in Pune India during a very formative period of my life. All my friends were Indians. During my schooling from freshman year in secondary through sophomore year in college, in Mussoorie, my roommates were Indians and I enjoyed the hospitality, culture, religious practices, and history of that great subcontinent. I traveled widely in India and was enriched in many ways.

On three occasions, I felt honored and was deeply moved when I accompanied my father to visit the great man Mahatma Gandhi. Even as a young man sitting on a mat in his simple home, I was unforgettably impressed by his sagacity, wisdom, wholesome philosophy of life and sterling personality. At the heart of his teaching was the power of love, which included nonviolent protest and, when necessary, peaceful civil disobedience.

It was from the Mahatma that I heard my first lessons regarding the universal concerns of religious liberty and freedom of conscience. This triggered a response in my heart and I have since made a lifelong and exhaustive study of this crucial subject.

During those earlier years in India, I treasured my friendship with Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, a variety of Christians, and a Sikh who was my roommate in college for two years. At no time did I experience hostility or suffer from any religious prejudice. For the past half century, I have followed the development of India since they gained independence. For 12 years, I was the world religious and administrative leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church which carries on its religious and humanitarian activities in 205 countries. During this time, and since, I have maintained a cordial relationship with Christians and others in India. I am persuaded that the Constitution and the laws of India provide adequately for the justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, of all its citizens regardless of creed, caste, or religion. I have always found the leadership of India to be sensitive and responsive, in doing everything possible, to insure that the interests of religious minorities are protected.

In my opinion, India has demonstrated remarkable fairness in resolving complicated communal tensions. This is not to say that there may not have been isolated incidents of religious hostility and perhaps even some persecution. Where such has erupted, however, the government has always responded with appropriate remedies. From my observation, the government has honestly struggled to maintain peace and communal harmony. I commend and appreciate the public policy of India, and the friendship of its people.

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