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Census of Christians sparks row

The Delhi police has categorically denied that any census was being carried out of Christians in the capital.

However, home ministry sources said an identification exercise was on in an effort to provide a better security environment for the community.

A Delhi police spokesman, denying a media report, has said, ''No census of Christians is being done by the Delhi police.''

''On January 26, the chief minister was contacted by Father Anto who expressed apprehensions about the security of Christians,'' he said.

''The chief minister had passed on this information to the commissioner of police whereupon Father Anto and such other Christians who were feeling apprehensive were contacted and such measures as police patrolling, meetings etc were held to re-assure them.''

Meanwhile, Christian leaders have criticised the move to carry out the census saying that ''confining the exercise to a particular community was ridiculous and it hardly makes any sense to conduct such a drill in the capital where there has been no threat to the community.''

Home ministry sources told UNI that the decision to carry out the census, through the Delhi police, was to ensure that a sufficient number of police personnel were available to subvert any possible attack or threat, in future.

UNI

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