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EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
SURAT, OCT 25: All Christians should be driven out of the country unless missionaries stopped converting people forthwith, the Bajrang Dal has demanded today.
Addressing a gathering at the Collectorate compound here, All-India Bajrang Dal convenor Surendra Jain said, ``Conversion is illegal. The Bajrang Dal will have to launch another `Bharat Chhodo andolan' to ensure that all Christians are driven out of this country.''
Jain is leading the Vishwa Hindu Parishad-Bajrang Dal `Dharmajagran Rally', which reached here on Monday morning. The rallyists submitted a memorandum to District Collector Sangeeta Singh, accusing Christian missionaries of indulging in anti-social and anti-national activities.
It also listed three demands: a complete ban on conversions; a halt on foreign funds for conversions and an immediate check on negative portrayal of Hindu deities and customs.
The memorandum alleged that conversions had led to the formation of Bangladesh and Pakistan. Even the Kargil episode centred aroundconversion, it claimed, warning that conversion of tribals in the North-East could trigger demands for independence in the region.
Among prominent leaders present in the rally were Gujarat BD convener Ranchhod Bharwad, south Gujarat Mahila VHP president Tarulata Joshi, city VHP president Lalji Patel and city BD president Kamlesh Jadhav.
At a press conference later, Jain said the BD and VHP would be forced to launch a nation-wide `militant movement' unless the Pope apologised for the `misdeeds of Christian missionaries.' Pope John Paul II begins his visit to India on November 5.
Jain said the government should not receive the Pope as a state guest. `Neither the President nor Prime Minister should receive him. The Pope is on a private visit to attend Asian Bishop's Conference, not as the head of the Vatican. As a religious head he can go anywhere he wants but he cannot enjoy status of the Head of a State,' Jain asserted.
Naidu writes to PM
HYDERABAD: Andhra Chief Minister and BJP ally NChandrababu Naidu has requested Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to ensure that the visit of Pope John Paul II goes off smoothly.
In a letter to Vajpayee, Naidu said that the country had a tradition of respecting guests and being tolerant in the matters of religious belief. Any type of agitation against his visit was uncalled for and would bring a bad name to the country. ``Utmost care should be taken to ensure that India's stature as a responsible and mature democracy is held high in international esteem,'' he said.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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