"Set Up Indian Commission On International Religious Freedom"

-- Dayananda Saraswathi

Sri Dayananda Saraswathi Swami, head of Anaikatti Arsha Vidya Gurukulam condemned the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom having included India in its list of Countries of Particular Concern quoting the Gujarat riots,.  Citing laws to prohibit forcible conversions, the above Commission had concluded that there is no religious freedom in India.  He further told the presspersons that this is unfair.  India was "a place for refuge of other religions" and yet all of them were accommodated. It is possible that the US can impose economic sanctions and tighten the laws on Indian citizens quoting this. Hence, the Indian Government should set up a similar commission with members who could view the situation dispassionately and present before the world an authentic report that ours is a "highly accommodative" multi-religious society.   "We should have our own set of paradigms for religious freedom and others cannot judge us."

Referring to the observation made by Pope John Paul II to the Indian Bishops in Vatican recently on conversion, Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswathi said that they think that it is their right to convert Hindus to Christianity, but by conversion, one's culture and heritage are damaged.  Communal Harmony is disturbed.  They say that they will protect us, but we do not need anybody for this protection.  Talking ill of other religions is not religious freedom.  He appreciated Jayalalithaa's reaction to Pope's remarks.            [CMC0047/240603]
 

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