Dismissal of Rajasthan minister demanded over Emmanuel

Jaipur, Aug 10 (UNI) Minority and rights groups here today demanded the dismissal of Rajasthan Social Welfare Minister Madan Dilawar for allegedly targeting Emmanuel Mission International and also called for an independent judicial inquiry against him.

The organisations said failing which they would lodge criminal cases against him for 'instigating communal hatred among different groups', for 'terrorising minority communities' of Emmanuel Mission.

The decision has come in the wake of the Rajasthan High Court August 8 order which has restored the registration of the five societies run by the Kota-based EMI and also granted bail to its promoters the father-son duo M A Thomas and Samuel Thomas.

The registration of these societies were cancelled earlier this year by the Registrar of Societies, Rajasthan on the recommendations of the state social welfare department, which alleged irregularities in the functioning of the institutions run by them.

The crackdown on EMI and their promoters had followed the dispute over the sale of controversial book 'Haqeeqat' from its premises which contained derogatory references to Hindu gods and goddeses.

The number of students at the orphanages had dwindled from 2,200 to 425, Dr John Mathew of Emmanuel said.

He said many of the students who went back home were not allowed to return to the institutions. The state government had appointed receivers in four schools run by it and the orphanage is under the social welfare department.

The organisations, including Rajasthan Christain Fellowship, National Muslim Welfare Society, Jaipur Christian Fellowship, Jamaite-Islami Hind, the government's action is against the EMI. The action of the minister was directed against the Emmanuel Mission, they added.

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