The Samast Christi Samaj, an umbrella organisation of different Christian organisations, has alleged that "atrocities" on Christians are on the rise in Maharashtra. Spokesperson of the Samaj Dolphy D'Souza told newspersons on Wednesday that "Enough is Enough , atrocities against the Christian community must be stopped and everyone’s rights should be safeguarded. We are a very peaceful community but we are forced to protest in public. We will hold a rally on April 12. This is for the first time that Christians belonging to all the denominations will be coming together." The protest procession will start from near the Byculla zoo at 1.00 p.m. and terminate into a meeting at Azad Maidan.
We are secular nation, message of peace should be spread: Advocate Jesani
Advocate Lara Jesani said, “The Supreme Court has called this government impotent as they failed to take action against many right wing organizations such as the Sakal Hindu Samaj. Today’s time is critical with communal tensions on the rise. But, we are a secular nation and the message of peace should be spread."
We are not Hindu Rashtra: Ram Puniyani
Activist Ram Puniyani asserted, “In recent years the amount of hate politics has increased. We all know that Golwalkar had said that Muslims, Christians and Communists are a threat to India. But we are not a Hindu Rasthra. Our country must follow the path of the Constitution. Christians are blamed for conversion but according to the 2011 census Christians constitute only 2.30% of the total population.”
Demands include reconstruction of “illegally demolished Churches”
Samasta Christi Samaj is an attempt to unite Christian communities of different denominations to speak up against the atrocities against the community. Their demands also include reconstruction of “illegally demolished Churches”. It has appealed to the state government to ensure that religious minorities do not face any threat to their constitutional rights.
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