FIACONA Shocked and Condemns Arrest of Evangelist William Lee
The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of
North America (FIACONA) is shocked that a secular democratic country like India
has arrested tourists Evangelist William Lee and his team including Daniel
Mathew, Roy Daniel and James, on alleged grounds of breaking visa norms and
participating in religious sermons. William Lee along with his team had come to
India on tourist visas and had participated in a Musical Concert in Kaloor
Stadium in Cochin, Kerala on Thursday, 13/10/2011 organised by Faith Leaders
Church of Lord, Tiruvalla.
FIACONA President Abraham Mammen said, "It is alleged
that he was propagating religious sermons. His arrest is totally unjustified
and reflects the workings of fascist forces who want to destroy India's
secular fabric for their own petty ends".
It is a well-known fact that persons entering India
on a tourist visa are involved in conducting religious prayer
sessions. It is not yet proved whether William Lee and his team has conducted
any religious prayers, but arresting them implicates that only Christians are
targeted for blatant selective persecution, moral policing and sectarian
violence. "How can such gross and undemocratic action take place in a
country like India
that is known to be secular and democratic?" questioned Abraham Mammen in
a recent interview.
The entire Christian community of the world is shocked.
There are thousands of Christians entering India
as tourists and if they go to church to pray or participate in a musical
concert, does that mean that they are breaking visa norms and should be
arrested?
"Arresting them is absolutely shocking and FIACONA
strongly condemns this undemocratic act. I am confident that the fascist forces
who are bent on destroying the secular fabric of India shall not be successful
and justice shall be done in favor of William Lee and his team being released
with honor and respect", said Abraham Mammen.
Issued by FIACONA, a non-political Federation of Christian organizations.