New law sought to safeguard Christians from attacks

Anantapur: National Christian Forum’s national chairman Ranjith Ophir has demanded the government to bring out a new law providing safety, security and protection to the religious minorities particularly the Christian community in the country.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Ranjith Ophir said that the community is living in fear due to the increasing attacks on adherents of Christian faith and on churches and religious institutions. It also demanded that the fundamental right of a citizen to change his religion as per his or her own choice should be upheld. Those who convert should be given protection by law enforcing agencies.

The Forum urged the government to protect the valuable properties of Christian organisations and save them from illegal occupation. A commission should be appointed, and a special cell should be created by the Police department for providing protection to minorities.

The Forum assured to put an end to alleged forcible conversions if any and added that no forcible conversions were going on in the country as no complaints were made by anyone in this regard. 

He demanded the central and state governments to extend all constitutional benefits to everyone irrespective of one's religion or caste as SC Christians were denied the benefits of SC status while SC Hindus were enjoying all their caste benefits.