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Press Release 09-11-08
Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America
FIACONA demands Ban on VHP
Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations in North America (FIACONA) seeks an immediate ban on Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), as the VHP has openly established itself as an anti-Christian organization of militant characteristics. The militancy is nowhere short of terrorism and it neither reflects the thoughts of the majority Indian Hindus nor does it represent them. The violence against Christians in Orissa was perpetrated by Hindu radicals, allegedly by the VHP. Hindus are a peace-loving community who follow Ahimsa (non-violence). President of FIACONA, Reverend Bernard Malik says, "Since VHP does not follow Ahimsa, it has no right to represent Hindus, it has become a militant organization that most of the Hindus do not identify with, and thus in the interest of the Hindus and in the national interest of secularism, FIACONA demands an immediate ban on the VHP." Mr. Titus Mathew General Secretary said, "Because of its bloody track record VHP should be disowned by all Indians and particularly by Hindus for misrepresentation of true Hindu values."
Congress seeks ban on VHP, Bajrang Dal. The Congress sought a ban on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal, saying they were involved in "activities detrimental to the unity and integrity of the country...These organizations should be banned," Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said. Slamming the BJP-Biju Janata Dal ruling combine in Orissa, where communal violence has claimed several lives, Tiwari accused Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of being ineffective and of "succumbing to the pressure of BJP to become a party to political polarization".
Left urges President to ban VHP, Dal . A delegation led by senior CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat and comprising CPI leaders D. Raja and Gurudas Dasgupta and CPI (M) MP Suresh Kurup, asked President Pratibha Patil to direct the Orissa government to rein in the saffron outfits which are involved in "killing" number of Christians in the state.
Shri Paswan seeks an immediate ban on the VHP . Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan demanded a ban on the Rashtriya Swyamasevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal for alleged violence against Christians in Orissa, as he says, "If the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has to be banned, then why not VHP, Bajrang Dal or RSS".
Swami Agnivesh demands ban on VHP and Bajrang Dal. Social activist and World Council of Arya Samaj President Swami Agnivesh demanded a complete ban on the activities of VHP and Bajrang Dal in the country. "There is enough evidence to put a ban on these two organizations ... Bajrang Dal in fact is emerging as a 'terrorist' organization in the country," Swami Agnivesh remarked while expressing concern over the communal violence in Orissa allegedly unleashed by the members of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.
Noted social activist Teesta Setalvad seeks a ban on VHP. She says, "The violence by VHP and Bajrang Dal against religious minorities in Orissa shows that these are violent terror outfits…It is part of a greater conspiracy to spread communal tensions. SIMI is banned for the same and hence Bajrang Dal and its affiliates should also be banned".
Other social activists also demand a ban on the VHP. The social activists, who included among others Ms Meenakshi Ganguly from Asia Division Human Rights Watch, National Integration Council member Shabnam Hasmi, National Dalit Movement for Justice general secretary Dr.Sirivella Prasad and AIDMAM National Convener Vimal Thorat, urged the Orissa state government to arrest all those responsible for attack on the Christians, launch comprehensive relief and rescue operation to bring the displaced to safer places, involve NGOs and Civil Society in relief and rescue operation, punish the officials who failed in their job to protect the lives of the people and deploy adequate central Para military forces to contain the violence.
Dr. Victor Joseph Chairman of Government Relations said, "As is evident from the above, the majority of Hindus do not follow the ideology of the VHP that has become a militant organization." Mr. Abraham Mammen the National Vice President said, "FIACONA condemns the alleged role of the VHP in the Orissa killings of innocent Christians and demands an immediate ban of the VHP."
For the favor of publication
Rev. Bernard Malik
302-354-5452
www.fiacona.org
