Iyengar issued notice for removal from minority panel

Bhopal, June 8(UNI) In a confrontation between Hindu activists and Christian missionaries in Madhya Pradesh over alleged conversion of Dalits and tribals, prominent Christian leader Indira Iyengar has been issued show cause notice prior to her removal as a member of the State Minority Commission.

Not satisfied with her reply, the Commission had referred the matter to the state government for 'appropriate action', official sources said today.

The controversy reached a flash point when local Bajrang Dal leader Devendra Rawat stormed into a press conference being addressed by Ms Iyengar here on June 5 to highlight the alleged police inaction on the 'gangrape' of two tribal Christians in Khargone district allegedly at the instance of some Hindu activists.

On the same day, the Commission, headed by Mr Mohammad Anwar Khan, served the notice holding that her 'conduct' did not conform to the dignity of high office she was holding as its member.

''Instead of giving a point-wise reply to the notice, Ms Iyengar had rather given a political statement levelling baseless allegations against the government and therefore the matter had been referred to the state government'', Mr Khan said.

''Despite holding a quasi-judicial post, her conduct was akin to that of a political leader'', he added.

President of Madhya Pradesh Christian Association for many years and a Congress sympathiser, Ms Iyengar also approached Governor Balram Jakhar seeking his immediate intervention to check alleged harassment of the minority Christians.

''Even the right to freedom of expression was being throttled by disturbing the press conference wherein the gangrape victims were also present'', Ms Iyengar said.

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