Hindu Vivek Kendra
A RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE PROMOTION OF HINDUTVA
   
 
 
«« Back
HVK Archives: George opposes politicisation of attack on Christians

George opposes politicisation of attack on Christians - The Times of India

Vinayanand Jha ()
January 22, 1999

Title: George opposes politicisation of attack on Christians
Author: Vinayanand Jha
Publication: The Times of India
Date: January 22, 1999

Samata Party's national president and Union defence minister
George Fernandes said here on Wednesday that treatment meted out
to Christians in Gujarat was ,wrong' and 'unconstitutional' and
it was the duty of the government of that state to curb such
incidents and apprehend the culprits. But he did not appreciate
attempts to politicise the issue.

Addressing the third state level conference of Bihar Pradesh
Mahila Samata, women's wing of the Samata Party, Mr Fernandes
said that when about a hundred churches were burnt at Arunanchal
Pradesh or a Father (Mr Krishtu Das) of a Church (at Dumka) was
paraded naked with garlands of shoes in his neck in Bihar, no
hue and cry was raised, even by Christian religious leaders.

But during his recent visit of France he was asked about the
treatment being meted out to Christians in Gujarat and elsewhere
in India. He had been receiving telephonic calls from Paris and
Germany regarding the Gujarat incident.

"It is only because India has become a nuclear country and
successfully carried out nuclear test, which is unpalatable for
nuclear countries and hence they have mounted attack on our
country", he added.

Criticising the narrow-mindedness of men towards women he said
that even heinous crime like rape was viewed with caste and
religion.

"Rape is a great crime, which takes place in each society,
community and class. When four nuns were raped in a Christian
convent at Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh, the Christian religious
leaders made it a national and international issue. But when
non-Christians are raped, these leaders keep quite. Like other
issues politicians give a political colour to this also", he
stated saying that "we take delight in seeing houses of others
on fire thinking that our houses are safe. We express our
concern only when our own houses start burning."

In an indirect reference to Anjana Mishra rape case Mr Fernandes
said that had there been a nun-Congress government at Orissa Ms
Sonia Gandhi would have gone there by any mode of transport.

But since it was her party's government, she called the chief
minister J.B. Patnaik to New Delhi. When a rape incident took
place in Jaipur (Rajasthan), RJD, Left and other opposition
parties went there, since there was the government of a
particular party.

"But when similar incident takes place in Bihar, these parties
not only keep mum but also try to save the culprits", he stated
referring to the repeated rape of an IAS officer's wife.
Justice should be done to the victim and culprits be punished
within a short period, he added.

Mr Fernandes said that if there was debate inside the party on
policy matters, including financial, it was a welcome sign. But
decisions should not be debated.

"If any decision is not acceptable to you, you may resign from
your post. But without discussions or debate on issues you
cannot be aware of the facts", he stated and said that "if a
government commits a mistake or there is difference in its words
and deeds, it should be opposed even by those, who are in the
government, since they are representatives of the people.
Favouring empowerment of women he said that they should have to
launch a special type of mass struggle for justice and achieving
their rights.

He appealed to Mahila Samata's state president Sudha Shrivastava
to include his suggestion in the proposals to be adopted at the
conference.

Later on talking to mediapersons Mr Fernandes said that the
issue of reservation for SC and ST in judiciary required serious
thinking. He had been asked to comment on the difference of
opinion between the President and the chief justice on the
issue.

He opposed any reservation in defence service. When asked about
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thacheray's stand on proposed cricket match
between India and Pakistan, he said that he had been telling and
writing to him to mend his ways. But of no effect.

"I don't know how to influence him", he stated. He refused to
comment on action to be taken against Mr Bal Thackeray saying
that it was upto authorities to decide.


Back                          Top

«« Back
 
 
 
  Search Articles
 
  Special Annoucements