Landmark Christian Conference
in India
AICC Seminar Ends Amid Accolades
Bangalore: May 15. The three day 'Karnataka Jagriti and Christian
Response Seminar'
organized by the All India Christian Council (AICC) concluded
here on
Saturday amid citations that it was a landmark event and the demand
that
more such events be organized by AICC.
The introductory seminar, which would be continued by three more
seminars in respective aicc regions in the state, centered around
disseminating vital information pertaining to Hindutva, RSS and the
anti-Christian campaign in the country and also equipping delegates
with the basics for responding to calumny in an effective Christian
manner.
As anticipated, attempts to discourage delegates from attending the
seminar
were made by Christians toeing the RSS line. This included asking Christians
not to attend the seminar (as disclosed by Rt Rev Mcewan who
delivered
the inaugural address), spreading malevolent, false and mischievous
rumors and tampering with mailing lists of invitees.
Despite such odds, though, the seminar was attended by 968 Christian
leaders,
pastors, priests, nuns and evangelists from all over the state and
from
all denominations and language groups.
Further, the seminar, during which secret documents containing the
Hindutva/RSS agenda and details of RSS front organizations is
already
being regarded as a landmark event.
Said one non-Christian observer, 'This could very well be the start
of a
consequential alliance of Christians, Muslims and Dalit-bahujans in
the
country.'
This is the first time in the state that diverse entities have come
together
for the common purpose of protecting Christian, other minority and
dalit/OBC
interests and secularism in the country.
Similarly, the resource personnel consisted of a wide spectrum of renowned
speakers and professionals including Fr (Dr) Ambrose Pinto sj, catholic
thinker, writer, activist and principal of St Joseph's evening College;
Dr John Dayal, Secretary General, AICC; Dr Kanch Ilaiah, Dalit/OBC
thinker,
writer and Head, Department of Sociology, Osmania University;
Fr Michael Doss sj, Director, Indian Social Institute (ISI);
Oliver D'Souza, journalist and media consultant; Mr. Kumar Swamy, Social
Scientist and Chief of
an International NGO, Chand Peer, resource person, ISI; Constitutional
expert, Fr Marianathan; N P Amrutesh,
Chief, AITUC legal Unit; H T Sangliana, Commissioner of Police, Bangalore
and
Dr Joab Mahalik, AICC, General Secretary - Orissa
The seminar began with an impressive ceremony and was graced and
addressed by, among others, Rev Franklin W Macewan, Bishop's
Commissary (CSI); T John, Minister for Bangalore development;
J Alexander, Member Legislative Assembly; Abraham Mathai, Maharashtra
Minorities Commission; Philomena Peris, Chairperson, Karnataka State
Women's
Commission; Lilian Xavier, Member, Karnataka State Public
Service Commission; P Balraj, Member Karnataka State Minorities Commission;
B
Anandan, Former Director General of Police; V T Rajshekar, Dalit Voice,
N P Amrutesh, President, All India Trade Unions' Conference (AITUC)
and
Zafarul Islam, General Secretary for Karnataka State, Jamiat Ulema
I
Hind ---- all of whom pledged their unwavering commitment and
support to Christians and to AICC and also jointly condemned the genocide
in Gujarat.
During the three days, a large amount of literature concerning
constitutional rights and duties, law and other pertinent matters was
provided to delegates jointly by AICC and ISI.
A contribution of Rs 8000, including Rs 5000 from AICC was also
made to pastor Paul Thayanna, whose church and residence were burnt
down by
fundamentalists in Bellary district on 28 April.
Immediately after the conclusion of the seminar, AICC organizers
were literally mobbed by delegates, asking them to organize more such
seminars, with
the common refrain being 'Thank you for the leadership provided by
the AICC and for
organizing the seminar. Organize more such events.' --- ESPL News
