Christian leaders demonstrate before Pakistan High Commission
(August 10, 2009) Christian leaders and scholars from a theological college, Vidya
Jyothi in the capital on Friday demonstrated against violence in Pakistan's Christian
minorities, before the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. National United Christian
Forum, All India Christian Council and several other groups came together and organized
the protest in front of the High Commission. A memorandum addressing the Pakistan
President also was submitted to the acting High Commissioner of Pakistan in India.
The delegation which visited the acting High Commissioner include, Archbishop Vincent
Concessao, Delhi Auxiliary Bishop Rev. Franco Mulakkal, All India Christian Council
Secretary General John Dayal, Bishop Simon John of the Believers’ Church, Catholic
priest Fr. Dominic and Sr. Nalini. The protesters demanded that the Pakistan Government
repeal the blasphemy laws and punish the guilty involved in the burning alive of Nine
Pakistani Christians the last week. The protesters assembled at the Pakistan High
Commission singing hymns. There were participants from different denominations such
as the Catholics, Protestants, Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches, and the Salvation
Army. Those spoke at the meeting narrated the violence in Pakistan and the plight
of the religious minority in that country. The police had earlier imposed prohibitory
orders at the High Commission. The memorandum offers a vivid picture of the violence
perpetrated to the Christians in Pakistan and then it reminds the President of the
Civil Societies demand to repeal the laws of blasphemy to the Government. It then
say, “The Christian community in India joins with the peace-loving people across the
world and supports the demand by Pakistan Civil Society and the Minority communities,
specially the Christians, for strong action by Federal and Provincial authorities
to bring the guilty to book and to create an environment of peace in which the religious
minorities can regain their confidence.”