The Call, 29 January, 1999

The last year has seen an intensification in the attacks on minorities, culminating in the attacks in Gujarat on the churches and Christians on Christmas day ... Ever since the BJP led coalition came to power at the Centre, the "Hindutva" brigade has been emboldened to launch a systematic attack on the secular and democratic foundations on which independent India stands. The hate campaign, which began before the demolition of the Babari Masjid, is now aimed at terrorizing the minorities of the country and consolidating a Hindu vote bank.

Instead of condemning these attacks, the Prime Minister has sought to legitimise them by talking of a "National Debate on Conversions" ... Clearly, his own ideological position is no different ... We reject this call for a debate, in which the terms and agenda have already been set by the aggressive actions and rhetoric of the Sangh combine. Such a debate will legitimise an assault on the fundamental rights, including the rights of minorities, which are basic to the Constitution and our democracy. Criminal attacks on minorities have to be dealt with by the law of the land and not through motivated "National Debates". We want a debate on real issues like untouchability, poverty and unemployment, and not on manufactured issues.

The "Hindutva" brigade has clearly decided to create an atmosphere of terror in the country ... Organized attacks arise out of an intolerance of democratic rights including the right to dissent. The people of this country cannot and will not remain silent in the face of such sustained attacks on minorities and destruction of places of worship ... It is this climate of hate and intolerance ... led to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Yesterday, it was the Father of the Nation, today it is the whole Nation that is under attack ....

Citizens' Vigil On Atrocities on the Christians, 30 January, 1999

The violence against the Christian community is a grave attack on our secular values and democratic institutions and makes a mockery of the 'rule of law'. The communal fanatics have been emboldened to attack the values and institutions of our Republic because they seem secure in their belief that nothing will happen to them.

In such a situation a meaningful intervention by concerned citizens can provide a glimmer of hope. There is an urgent need to launch a broad based campaign to bring pressure on the Governments, both t the Centre and in the States, to enforce the law, and also to force the Central Government out of its wholly unjustified passivity. Today, if we do not stand up and be counted, the anti-democratic forces will be further emboldened to subvert the rule of law.

With a deep sense of pain and anguish at the atrocities being inflicted on the Christian community, we call upon all concerned citizens of Delhi to join us in a Citizens' Vigil on 30 January 1999 at the Gandhi Smriti, New Delhi to rededicate ourselves to upholding the humanist and secular values of our nation.