Recent reports from Andhra
Pradesh of a draconian religious policing of
foreign visitors to the state evokes frightening
memories of the Sangh Parivar raj in New Delhi
some years ago when similar action met with
indignation and condemnation from national and
international civil society.
Reports are that the Andhra Pradesh police and
intelligence agencies, often accompanied by
thugs of the Sangh Parivar, have been breaking
into Christian prayer and social meetings where
international guests are present. Several of
such meetings have been reportedly broken up
by police who say they will not permit the participation
of foreigners who are in India on a tourist
visa,
This is action that is violative of both the
Indian Constitution and International protocol.
It also discriminates specifically against the
Indian Christian community as it prevents them
from inviting their friends to their social
and religious occasions and meeting.
It is clearly understood that the international
visitors are not here on a missionary visa,
which India does not give though thousands of
Hindu priests routinely go broad to preach in
the West. Our guests do not preach, nor do they
convert. They merely attend ceremonies as faithful
Christians who do not lose their religious rights
just because they are visitors in India.
The discrimination is patently only against
Christians. Buddhists from Tibet, China, Japan
and other countries come to Bodh Gaya and other
cities and fully participate in religious and
socio-political activities connected with their
communities and their faith. Similarly, Sikhs
citizens of the US and the UK, Pakistan and
Afghanistan, come to Punjab for prayer and worship
at gurudwaras. People of Indian origin, citizens
of Britain and the United States of America,
Europe and Hong Kong, routine come to India
and fully participate in all religious and social
political activities though they are foreign
citizens.
These double standards would be contemptible
and condemnable even if a Hindutva government
imposed them. That these are happening in Andhra
Pradesh where the government swears by secularism
is a matter of great shame.
We hope the political leadership will ensure
that the police will cease and desist from such
activity which puts a black mark of shame on
the democratic and constitutional edifice of
secular India.
The All India Christian Council took out a massive
procession in the port city of Vishakapatnam
[Vaizag] today, to protest the police high handedness.
A Memorandum was presented to the Collector.
Over 10,000 persons, including Christian and
non-Christian civil society activists joined
the state AICC leadership in the protest march.
Dr John Dayal, Member, National Integration
Council, Government of India
Secretary General, All India Christian Council
President, All India Catholic Union
