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Christians call for 'white paper' on all foreign funds

Christian intellectuals today sought a 'white paper' from the government giving details of foreign contributions to all institutions in India apart from those run by the various churches and affiliated organisations.

"Christian organisations receive only 4 per cent of their funds from the European Union while institutions of the Sangh Parivar receive donations from a host of foreign agencies and the money has never been accounted for," said Dr Walter Fernandes, former director of the Indian Social Institute, at a press conference in New Delhi today.

"We have been asking for complete information from the government. Instead of giving the partial truth, the government should come out with a white paper with details of contributions to institutions of all kinds," Dr Fernandes said.

"Among the organisations not submitting the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act accounts are the Sangh Parivar bodies," said John Dayal, spokesman of the All-India Catholic Union.

He said the Sangh Parivar organisations receive contributions from even Christian non-governmental organisations besides a large number of American organisations and through fund-raising festivals abroad in collaboration with 'Friends of India' and 'Friends of BJP'.

Dr Dominic Emmanuel of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India explained that Christians constitute only 2.34 per cent of India's population, but "the community runs 30 per cent of educational, health and other non-governmental institutions". "With such a minuscule population, where can we produce funds from?" he said, justifying the need for foreign contribution.

Dr Fernandes pointed out that most of the beneficiaries of Christian-run institutions belong to other communities, a sizeable number of them from the weaker sections. "We want to know where the funds received by the Sangh Parivar affiliates go," he said.

Dismissing allegations of inducement, he said: "Considering the number of students passing out from Christian-run institutions every year, half the country would have embraced the religion if that had been the case."

Dr John Chetnad, an economist and principal of Vidya Jyoti, was also present and stressed how the policy of liberalisation had led to monopolisation to the great disadvantage of marginalised people and highlighted the role of the church in the uplift of these sections.

UNI

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