Anti Conversion Bill IACO writes to Sonia

Washington, Jan 23: The Federation of Indian American Christian Organisations of North America has written to UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, strongly protesting the 'Anti-Conversion Legislation' passed by the Himachal Pradesh assembly.

Copies of the letter were also sent to President A P J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, besides Himachal Pradesh Governor Suraj Bhan, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Home Minister Gulab Chand.

In his letter to Ms Gandhi, the President of the Federation Joseph Nidiry said, ''We cannot understand the basis of these anti-conversion bills/laws .... We wish to point out that past experience shows that these laws will be used to harass and intimidate (Christian) minorities, and unethically prosecute Christian institutions and their workers.'' Appealing to Ms Gandhi to preserve the sanctity of the Indian constitution, Federation Vice-President Abraham Mammen requested her to ''undo the grievous damage being done to the sanctity of the Indian Constitution and to the freedom of faith of the Indians''.

UNI