Fwd: Fw: FIACONA Responds to the Burning of an Effigy of Jesus in Orisa

[Shashi Menon]

Note: forwarded message attached.

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----- Original Message ----- From: communications Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 7:14 AM Subject: Fw: FIACONA Responds to the Burning of an Effigy of Jesus in Orisa Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA) 110 Maryland Ave, NE Suite 510, Washington DC 20002. Ph: 202 547 4700, www.fiacona.org   STATEMENT   Absolute Stupidity Reign Hindutva Brigade in India   Monday November 24, 2003   The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA) condemns the provocative and uncalled for actions of the Hindutva groups in India including last Thursday�s burning of an effigy of Jesus in the state of Orisa;  the Vishwa Hindu Parishad�s (VHP) latest brain child to drag the newly appointed Cardinal Telesphore P Toppo into a legal (publicity seeking) battle for accepting a �foreign honor�; and the sinister designs of using even the census data of India by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the Indian church.   Activists a radical group called Bajrang Dal, one of the  sister organizations of the ruling BJP which was held responsible by a court early September for the burning of  Australian Missionary Graham Stains and his two young children Timothy (7) and Phillip (11) in 1999, burnt an effigy of Jesus last Thursday in the state of Orisa. Police officials said �about a dozen activists belonging to this radical group forced their way into a local church in the town of Tileibani, brought out thousands of religious books (Bibles and Hymnals) and burnt them in broad day light�. District police chief LD Naik said they had also misbehaved with a woman in the church. Two cases have been registered against 12 suspects in connection with the incidents. All of them have been absconding since Thursday.  "Tension is mounting in Tileibani area as a result of which police patrolling has been intensified," Mr. Naik told IANS news service.   A day before that, the Vice-president of Jharkhand unit of VHP (another sister organization of the ruling BJP), Ganga Prasad Yadav said that the acceptance of the post of Cardinal by the Ranchi diocese Archbishop at a recently concluded function in Vatican City was against the law of the land as he accepted the honor without seeking permission from the government. Reacting to the above reported statements by the VHP and the actions of the Bajrang Dal, the President of FIACONA Mr. Pallekonda said today in Chicago that, �All these actions amply prove that the Hindutva brigades, a part and parcel of the ruling BJP party, has nothing worthwhile to do with their time than harassing the church in India for political ends�.  He cautioned that India would spiral into a state of anarchy and mayhem if actions are not taken against the people creating such mischief.  He said, �the very idea of India would be jeopardized if we do not find a way to stop such things from happening again in a timely fashion�.   Mr. Prabhudoss, the Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee of FIACONA, who is currently visiting Iraq said today in a tele-conference, �Absolute stupidity is ruling the Hindutva brigade in India�.  He hoped that the Hindu population would rise up to the challenge and prevent the radical elements from causing further damage to the age old Hindu faith and its great traditions in the eyes of the international community.   Mr. Prabhudoss urged the International governments and their embassies in India to take these developments seriously as it could easily jeopardize internal stability.  He explained �how international communities have much to lose strategically, politically and economically if India marches on in the same negative direction�.   Mr. Condillac, a member of the Board of FIACONA pointed out how the Bharathiya Janata Party and its ideologues have politicized even the process of census taking in India.  He explained how the methodology used in the 2001 census made amply clear the "ulterior political motives" of the ruling BJP party.  He pointed out that even the then President of India Mr. Naryanan questioned the methods followed in collecting the data especially about the Tribal and low caste populations.  (Note for the international press: The President of India does not have authority to take corrective action in that matter).   It is ironic that the US government has chosen to downplay these serious developments in the Indian subcontinent for strange reasons.  US business delegations are going to the aid of Mr. Nareendra Modi in Gujarat without any code of ethics or morality.     FIACONA cautions the international governments that if nothing is done within a reasonable time in India, the radical groups are out to create another Iraq in India.  We hope that better sense will prevail among the sister organizations of the ruling party soon so they would work constructively to help the country progress economically and culturally rather than destroying the foundation on which the nation is built.     Jayachand Pallekonda, President John Prabhudoss, Chair, Governmental Affairs Committee.       An article, The Indian Census, Hindu-Christian Dialogue, and Perceiving the Religious 'Other' Interpreting Facts by Judson B. Trapnell is made available for reference at: http://www.fiacona.org/Research%20Articles/census_article_Judson.htm   Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA) is an umbrella organization of many Indian American foundations, groups and churches from all cross the United States. The main office of FIACONA is based in Washington DC, on the Capitol Hill.  More information is available at www.fiacona.org  To Unsubscribe please reply to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with UNSUBSCRIBE on the subject line.  Thank you

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