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Prominent citizens oppose papal visit

A group of prominent citizens today met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and expressed concern over Pope John Paul II's visit to India, saying it was aimed at promoting conversions in the country.

The delegation of citizens included noted artistes, writers, academicians, medical practitioners, jurists, religious scholars and social workers.

Dr Vidya Niwas Mishra, former editor of the Hindi daily, Navbharat Times, and former vice-chancellor of Kashi Vidyapeeth, danseuse Sonal Mansingh, chairperson of Dharma Rakshana Sammelan Padma Subrahmanyam, former central minister Hari Kishore Singh and eminent ophthalmologist Dr S S Badrinath were some of the members of the delegation.

During their half-hour meeting with the prime minister, the delegation stressed that "the government should deliberate upon the implications of the openly stated intention of the Vatican to undertake intensive and organised religious conversions in India", Dr Mishra told reporters later.

The delegation impressed upon the prime minister "to look into the socio-political, cultural and demographic consequences of such organised conversions and the grave threat this poses to harmonious living, national character and the integrity and security of the nation, particularly in the wake of what happened in East Timor".

The team also submitted a memorandum signed by more than 100 prominent citizens, including former Madras high court judge N Krishnaswamy Reddiar, former Central Bureau of Investigation director C V Narasimhan, former Tamil Nadu director general of police K Ravindran, and writer Sultan Shaheen.

UNI

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