Indian Delegation Resents Conversion Ploy
By PRAKASH M SWAMY
http://www.newsindia-times.com/usnews07.htm

UNITED NATIONS: The Indian delegation consisting of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Bhuddists, have strongly condemned some Christian organizations’ "misinterpretation" of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that it authorizes proselytization. 

Addressing a press conference at the end of the conference, Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Modi, international president, Ashok Singhal, general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Madan Lal Mittal of the Mittal Group, said it was unfortunate that some Christian leaders talk about powers vested under Article 18 to convert people.

The Indian delegation, which accepted the Commitment to Global Peace declaration, also passed a separate set of resolutions and presented them to the United Nations.

"Article 18 of the Declaration and other similar provisions do not mean and can’t be construed as authorizing any establishment or individual to resort to organized proselytization which has a long history of creating tensions and conflicts between religious communities which continue to impair inter-faith goodwill, tolerance and harmony," the resolution said.

Dr. Modi said Japanese delegates and others from the Far Eastern nations approached Indian delegates on hearing the "misinterpretation" of Article 18 and wanted a clarification. Sukohito, a leading authority on Bhuddism and chairman of the Crime Prevention body of Japan and Dr.L.M. Singhvi, India’s own top legal luminary, read the relevant sections of the International Bill of Human Rights and drafted the addendum.

Dr. Modi and Singhal said the Indian delegation accepted the declaration but differed only on the interpretation of Section 18 which he said some Christians see as a right to proselytization. "Now time has come for the UN to clarify whether Section 18 grants them the power to carry on organized conversions," Dr. Modi said.

He said Jews, Parsis and other religious groups extended their support to Indian delegation in passing the resolution condemning the "misuse of Article 18."

"Elimination of poverty programs by some groups has been used as elimination of Hindu religion and culture programs in India through organized conversions. We agree that not all Christians and Muslims are for conversions as many of them feel it is wrong and a thing of the past," Singhal added.

He said the game plan came to light during a debate in the main session when African leaders blamed some Christian organizations for destroying their culture, religion and wealth. "Some of the Christian leaders then quoted Article 18 and said they enjoy the right to proselytize under the relevant article. We were taken aback and hurriedly convened a meeting of likeminded religious leaders the next day," Dr, Modi said. 

"The leaders are making a mockery of the declaration by saying that they have the UN sanction to organize systematic conversions. We now ask the UN to clarify. The Nepalese delegates showed us maps and charts that talked about programs and plans for conversion in each and every district. It was like a sales target given to a salesman and they are supposed to harvest people," Dr. Modi said.

"Organized proselytization is a crime in India as per a judgment given by the Supreme Court. But so far the central governments had not used the law to punish people violating it. We intend to enforce the laws strictly in the months to come," Singhal said.

"They are following what their leader had said. Pope John Paul during his visit to India on the Diwali day last year had declared that they had put the cross in Europe in the first millennium; in America and Africa in the second millennium and time has come to put the cross in Asia in the third millennium. He said he had come to harvest Asians," Singhal said.

Modi said a systematic campaign has been unleashed that Christians are being persecuted in India. "Where is the question of persecution of Christians? Over 40,000 Hindus are killed in Kashmir and more than 350,000 Hindus are rendered refugees in their own country. More than 150,000 Hindus have become refugees in the North East. Muslim fanatics burn the churches and put the blame on Hindu groups," he regretted.

Singhal said isolated criminal acts are being highlighted by the media to put Hindus in a bad light. "People who have a history of violence, colonization and proselysitazion blame the Hindus. Proselysitazion is a crime; violence should be stopped at any cost. The Sankaracharyas and Dharma gurus are meeting in Prayag shortly to put an end to this menace."

Mittal said violence among religious groups could drive away youths from religion and spirituality. "We are witnessing that in Yugoslavia and other troubled nations."

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