All India Christian Council
Dwarka, New Delhi 110075 www.indianchristians.in, Email aiccdelhi@gmail.com
For Immediate Press Release
Christian Council Appreciates Supreme Court Revision of Ruling
NEW DELHI: January 25, 2011
Today the All India Christian Council thanked the Supreme Court for revising comments in the verdict given on 21 January 2011 in the case of Criminal Appeal No 1366 of 2005, “Rabindra Kumar Pal @ Dara Singh Vs. Republic of India ”. The ruling dealt with the appeal to overturn life sentences for two men convicted of murdering Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons 1999.
In the ruling, several comments about conversions were included by the two judge bench of P. Sathasivam and B.S. Chauhan which provoked protests by Christians and many in India ’s civil society.
Dr. Joseph D’souza, aicc President, said, “We appreciate the Supreme Court for taking suo moto notice of the deep concerns over their comments on conversion in the Dara Singh case. We are thankful that several remarks which the Christian community found objectionable were expunged from the record today. This restores our faith in the judiciary.”
Dr. John Dayal, aicc Secretary General, said, “We were disturbed initially when the remarks by two Supreme Court justices gave the appearance of support for campaigns against freedom of faith. The Christian Council and community hold the justice system in high esteem as it is the appeal of last resort when state governments and administration often fail us. In fact our great respect is why the comments provoked deep concern.”
The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.
Released by
Madhu Chandra
Regional Secretary – aicc
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