EMN
Kohima, April 15
Congress has taken strong exception to the recent statements against Christians and minority communities by Hindu fundamentalist groups. Chairman of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) and member of AICC, K V Pusa said recent utterances by BJP and its ‘patronized’ Hindu outfits against Christians and other minority communities terming them as “bastards” was totally unacceptable and warned that under BJP government the country could even disintegrate.
Pusa also lashed out at Vice President All India Hindu Mahasabha, Sadhvi Deva Thakur’s statement that Christians and Muslims should undergo sterilization to restrict their growing population which is posing a threat to Hindus. He said in Nagaland Christains and other communities have been living peacefully adding that Christians respect Hindu and other religions unlike BJP ‘patronized’ Hindu outfits in the country. “We respect Hinduism and other religions” he added. The Congress leader demanded BJP leadership to make its stand clear whether the BJP government at the Centre can respect and protect other minority communities like Christians and Hindus.
The PAC Chairman asked the BJP leadership and the Centre why they are silent against ‘hooligans’ of Hindu fundamentalist groups linked with the BJP. He demanded the Centre to take measures to end hate campaign, violence and coercion targeting Christains and other minority communities which is polarizing communities. He asked BJP government whether it would adopt “Zero tolerance” towards communal forces.
Pusa also termed BJP as a “Fascist party” till it rein its radical Hindu outfits.
He said most of the BJP leaders are fascists and that violence against minorities would increase manifold. He said communalism and polarization in the name of religion is growing in the country under the BJP government. “This is a setback for the unity and integrity of our country” he added. He said it will not only have a devastating impact on India but could put relations with the world at large also at stake.
He demanded equal fundamental rights to religious freedom adding that freedom of conscience, free profession and practice and propagation of religion is a right given to every citizen without fear, and with security provided by the state where this right may be restricted either by extra constitutional interference or through a selective implementation of the law.
On Naga political issue Pusa wanted to know the logic behind seeking a ceasefire from the Union Government by recently formed National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Reformation). He said when the newly formed outfit has neither indulged in anti-national activities nor waged war against India what was the logic behind seeking for a truce from the Government of India.
