The Tribune
November 17, 2006
Editorial
Attack most foul
Minorities must be protected
IT is a matter of national shame that the poisonous weed of religious intolerance, which has already brought to India the ignominy of Graham Staines murder, is taking roots at the unlikeliest of places. Who would have thought that a Christian preacher would be thrashed in a relatively peaceful place like Yamunanagar in Haryana? While the priest, Mr A.M. Samuel, President of the N-W Region of Indian Pentacostal Church of God, and others say that they were there only to propagate the name of Jesus and to hold prayers, the angry mob allegedly consisting of BJP and Bajrang Dal activists insists that they were trying to convert Hindus to Christianity. Even if it is conceded, for arguments’ sake, that such indeed was the motive of the congregation, still nobody had the right to take the law into his own hands.
What is all the more galling is the fact that the troublemakers were accompanied by a large number of local residents who do not owe allegiance to any militant organisation or group. Apparently, their feelings had been aroused with the help of vicious propaganda. That is highly disturbing. Only recently, 30 Hindu activists were arrested in Mohali for reportedly protesting against a programme being organised by the local church. Two months ago, an equally ugly incident had taken place at Loreto Convent in Lucknow. Such instances can by multiplied if one goes a little further back in time.
The situation demands that the police has to remain alert against the mischief-makers who are always keen to tread on minority rights. It should now immediately swing into action and bring the guilty to book. Only then would the apprehensions of the minorities be assuaged. Community leaders also need to ensure that the venom of religious hatred is not allowed to be spread. Fanaticism has no place in a plural and multi-cultural country like India.
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