wfn.org | Catholic Bishops of India Defend Citizens' Democratic Rights

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

New Delhi, 3 November 2001

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) reiterated democratic
rights of fellow citizens of the country, especially in the light of the
proposed gathering of the Dalits during which, as is reported, a big
number intends to embrace Buddhism. The Constitution of India guarantees
its citizens the right to assemble, live in freedom and profess and
propagate their faith. We support this fundamental right of the Dalits
to choose the religion of their choice, guaranteed by the constitution
of the country.

We reject any call to ban such rallies, unless it is a question of law
and order where government has the right to decide, and emphasize that
such a call to ban is not tenable constitutionally, morally or
ethically. "While CBCI is at no stage involved in this event of the
reported rally of the Dalits to embrace Buddhism, we fully support their
constitutional right to gather and their fundamental right to choose the
religion of their conviction", said Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Agra,
the Secretary General of CBCI.

We appeal to all people to help conduct this big gathering of the Dalit
people peacefully, democratically and in a spirit of solidarity with the
Dalits who have suffered many injustices at various levels down the
centuries.

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