Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Minorities flay unrelenting stand

By Our Special Correspondent

MADURAI OCT. 22. The Madurai archbishop, Marianus Arokiasamy, has criticised the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa's refusal to withdraw the anti-conversion ordinance "even after knowing that it is against fundamental rights, religious freedom and honour of the individual."

Expressing concern at the failure in yesterday's talks the minority leaders held with her in Chennai, the archbishop, who also heads the United Minority Forum -- Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, expressed the apprehension that the ordinance would be misused against the minorities as were the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act and the Prevention of Terrorism Act. In a statement, he accused certain communal organisations of attempting to portray the minorities' opposition to the ordinance as a measure of their faith in forced conversions. It did not mean support to forced conversions the same way as those who were against the TADA and the POTA were not terrorists.

The minorities would observe fast in Chennai and Madurai on Thursday.

There would also be a token closure of minority institutions that day.

If the Government still forced the ordinance on the people, leaders of minorities and like-minded movements would meet again to decide on follow-up action, the archbishop said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• ESMA will be invoked, warns Govt.
• All set for stormy Assembly session
• Beleaguered Chennithala leaves it to Sonia
• Govt. to blame: employees
• Govt. bound to pre-empt minority schools closure: PIL
• 11 killed in cracker unit fire in Villupuram dt.
• Netherlands team to kick-start Tirupur scheme
• Pension problem won't retire that easily
• Good response to Samadhan scheme
• TNCC leaders' appeal to Krishna
• Minorities flay unrelenting stand
• Declare strike illegal: petition
• Prevail upon Krishna: Thirunavukkarasar tells Cong. president

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu