Home minister allays fears on HJM rally

GANDHINAGAR, Dec 1: Minister of State for Home Haren Pandya on Wednesday allayed fears that Christmas revelry, particularly in the tribal areas of the State, might be disturbed by the threat issued by the Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) to organise programmes against alleged religious conversions. Pandya told reporters that the State Government had issued a notification four months ago, stating that no permission would be given to religious programme of other communities when a festival was on. This, he said, was done to ensure communal peace in the State.

He was replying to a question about the Hindu Jagran Manch’s threat that they would organise parallel demonstrations to protest against alleged religious conversions by Christian missionaries during Christmas. He said the government would thwart any attempt to foment trouble during Christmas this year.

HJM has earlier issued threats that just like last Christmas, it would organise a Hindu rally and other programmes on December 24 and 25 in the Dangs.