Saturday, June 17, 2006

Minority matters

A free for all at a recent press conference in Bhopal as the State Minority Commission chief faced the wrath of the saffron brigade but apparently instances like this have worried even the Prime Minister and the State Minority Commission has started an inquiry.

When the Commission realised that even the Prime Minister has received complaints of atrocities against minorities, the Commission decided to take up the matter.

"That's why I’m in Madhya Pradesh to inquire if there have been any atrocities," said National Minorities Commission member Harcharan Singh.

But it seems that the Commission is having a tough time investigating the cases against the minorities because state officials are not cooperating.

On the other hand, complainant the member of State Minority Commission Indira Iyengar said, "With the Prime Minister’s initiative, it looks that now somebody will hear our woes. And the Prime Minister will definitely take interest to see that the Christians are protected in Madhya Pradesh."

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his govt have denied charges of atrocities against Christians with the BJP calling it a campaign against it.

(By Rahul Singh)