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[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

Sudarshan's Statements

New Delhi 29 October 2001

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has expressed its great
shock and surprise at the statement of Mr. K. S. Sudarshan on
Vijaydashmi at Nagpur where he called on Muslims and Christians to
reinterpret their scriptures and to change their leadership.

"We are surprised and shocked at the RSS chief Mr. Sudarshan's, address
delivered at Nagpur on Dussehra, which is tantamount to interference in
the affairs of the Muslims and Christians by asking them to reinterpret
their scriptures and change their leadership which, according to him,
has remained in the hands of conflict-mongers", said Archbishop Oswald
Gracias of Agra, the Secretary General of the CBCI.

The CBCI believes that this will only dampen the spirit of initial talks
begun with the RSS to clear the already existing misunderstandings. Such
statements only serve to vitiate the atmosphere under which the dialogue
is currently underway while also playing into the hands of forces
opposed to dialogue.

The CBCI has also expressed its apprehension over Mr. Sudarshan's call
to the RSS cadres, as reported in the newspapers, 'to arm themselves
against any threats', a call which sounds no different from the Taliban
call to arms. "This goes against the very character of a democratic
system where it is the government's responsibility to look after the law
and order situation in the country. Mr. Sudarshan's should realize that
such advice could create tension in an already volatile situation and
could easily escalate into communal violence and bloodshed", said the
CBCI Secretary General.

Issued by
Rev. Dr. Dominic Emmanuel
Spokesperson - CBCI
Dominic Emmanuel <dominic1@vsnl.com>