news from the cpi(m)
November 6, 2008
A delegation of the CPI(M) met the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Maj. General (retd) B.C. Khanduri along with a group of leaders and religious functionaries of the Christian Solidarity Society in Dehradun yesterday (Nov.5) to protest against the increased attacks on the Christian community by the sangh parivar. The delegation included Brinda Karat (Member CPI(M) Polit Bureau and MP), Tapan Sen (MP and member, Central Committee) State leaders B.Kanswal, Indu Naudiyal, newly elected Zila Parishad member of the area P.Devli along with the victims of the recent attack, Pastor Hemant and his family members and other community leaders. Earlier, the CPI(M)leaders had gone to Choila village on the outskirts of the town, where on November 3 morning, a mob of about 40 to 50 men armed with rods and sticks forcibly entered the small church and destroyed copies of the Bible, religious books, musical instruments, furniture etc. Shockingly, when the police finally arrested the attackers, it was the Mayor of Dehradun, a BJP leader, who went to the Thana and misutilised his official position to get the men released. The delegation saw the destruction caused and met many members of the congregation mainly daily workers including women. They wept when they related the violence they had faced. In the attack a pastor Asher Waska was badly injured and had to be hospitalized. His ear drum has been punctured due to the beating. The pastor Hemant has been threatened not to hold any services in the church or the church will be burnt down and he will be killed. In the recent panchayat elections, Com. Deoli who is a State Committee member of the CPI(M) was elected the Zila Parishad member from the area. He along with the block pramukh and the ward member assured the congregation that they will be present at the time of the Sunday service to ensure that there is no disturbance. There is a temple nearby and many people of the area also met the delegation and the affected Christian community members and assured them of their support. This instilled a sense of confidence in the congregation who were visibly appreciative of the visit of the CPI(M) leaders. Not a single other party has visited the area.
In the evening, the leaders of the community and the local pastor accompanied the CPI(M) delegation led by Brinda Karat to meet the Chief Minister. The CM expressed his regret for the incidents and assured the community members that he would ensure that there was no political pressure to help the accused.
It will be recalled that ever since the BJP Government took office different sangh parivar fronts have increased their attacks on the Christian community. Even though the attackers have alleged forced conversions not a single case of such "forcible" conversions have been mentioned. Details of the previous attacks were given in a detailed memorandum to the Chief Minister by the Christians for action.
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