Ahmedabad Times of
India
February 27, 1999
Fr. Cedric Prakash s.j.
President, United Christian Forum for Human Rights
Straight answers
On conversions and related issues
Is it true that Christian missionaries are offering
‘economic incentives’ to tribals and dalits to make them
convert?
Totally false. What incentive can a nun, bereft of property
and material wealth, working in a colony of ostracised lepers offer? A
missionary tries to communicate God’s peace, love and justice by
establishing a social order where equality and the dignity of human beings is
realised for all.
Do you think the Christians are being persecuted as a part
of a systematic campaign sponsored by the state?
It is apparently so. How else can one explain that till today
the state has not publicly condemned the attacks on minorities; Why is it that
these attacks which have created news the world over do not even get a passing
mention in the governor’s address? The perpetrators of these attacks and
those who make inflammatory speeches are still ruling the roost. Finally, the
census targeting Christians and Muslims established the gov’s hand beyond
any reasonable doubt.
Who called the dharna in Sarangpur?
It was initiated by certain eminent and secular-minded
citizens of the majority community who were calling for the immediate withdrawal
of the census.
Iqbal Anand