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NEW DELHI, August 3: Concerned on the attack on
Christians in Pakistan Rt Rev. Anil Couto, Bishop of
Catholic Church in Punjab along with other Christian
leaders held a protest at Attari-Wagah against the
Pakistan government's failure to protect the minority
community.
Furthermore, Arnold James, Member of the Delhi
Minorities Commission urged the National Commission for
Minorities to put pressure on Pakistan to protect the
Christians there.
Hundreds of Christians were killed in Pakistan but the
Pakistan government did nothing to protect the Christian
community, stated Mr. James in his letter. He alleged
Islamic countries always talked of justice, but they did
not follow-their sayings in their countries. Islam
preaches the government is duty-bound to protect people.
But it seems that the Pakistan government does not
follow the teachings of Islam.
On August 7 Indian Christian leaders protest at Pakistan
High Commission; demand Islamabad end Blasphemy laws,
protect community reeling under violence
Leaders of the Christian community in India demonstrated
at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Friday,
7th August, demanding that the Pakistan government
repeal the so called Blasphemy laws and punish those
responsible for burning alive of eight Pakistani
Christians in violence in recent days.
The protest was called by the National United Christian
Forum, the All India Christian Council and other groups.
A delegation led by NUF President Archbishop Vincent
Concessao and consisting of Delhi Catholic auxiliary
bishop Franco Mulakkal, Christian Council secretary
general Dr John Dayal, Bishop Simon John of Believers
Church, the Auxiliary bishop of the Orthodox Church,
Catholic spokesperson Fr Dominic and Sr Nirmalini called
on the acting High Commissioner and submitted a
Memorandum addressed to the Pakistan President.
The demonstration, which saw the participation of
Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical and Pentecost
churches, as also the Salvation Army, the scholars of
the Vidya Jyoti College of Theology, and others, earlier
assembled at the Pakistan High Commission where
prohibitory orders had been imposed by the police. The
protesters sang hymns. Speakers gave details of the
violence in Pakistan and the plight of religious
minorities in general in that country.
A Memorandum was submitted to the President of Pakistan
asking 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.
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