Chennai: As the Centre launched crackdown on
some NGOs for allegedly fuelling protests over Kudankulam
Nuclear Power Plant, Christian leaders today said government
should stop harassing the Christian minority and withdraw
"negative injunctions".
"We request the Prime Minister to stop harassing the
Christian minority and withdraw negative injunctions issued in
lieu of Tuticorin Diocese and grant appropriate relief," A M
Chinnappa, Archbishop of Madras Mylapore and President of
Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council said in a statement here.
Home Ministry officials had frozen the bank account of
'Tuticorin Diocesan Association' on February 9, after they
raided its premises between January 11 and 13.
Denying Centre's allegations, he said they were pained with
the action of the government which is "trying to mislead the
country giving an impression that the Church is against the
national and public interest, playing into the hands of
foreign powers."
"It is sheer innuendo and slander," he said.
Defending the Church's association with protestors against
Kudankulam Plant, he said it was "the moral involvement with
the people and if the government is able to convince the
people and allay the fears, the Church in no way will stand
against any decision."
Talking to reporters, Bishop of Tuticorin Diocese Yvon
Ambrose said, "... When my people suffer, as a Bishop I am
with them. Because I am in sympathy with them, you cannot say
I am inciting...."
"We are unable to understand why government is implicating
me personally and the Diocese, as if we are the principal
instigators. ..All religions are involved in it. Why only
Christian community should be targetted we don't
understand..," he said.
Home Minister P Chidambaram had said in Delhi recently
cases had been filed against four NGOs after it was found
prima facie that they were involved in diversion of foreign
funds from the purpose for which they were received.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, March 08, 2012, 15:17