Correspondence of Roman Catholics with the Committee, the state government and the Central Government

Copy of D.-O. letter, dated Nagpur. the 23rd April 1954, from Shri P. Lobo. Advocate, Supreme Court, Civil Lines, Nagpur. to Shri B. P. Pathak, Secretary to Government of Madhya Pradesh.  Nagpur

A Government Communique, dated the 16th April 1954, has announced a Six-man Inquiry Committee to probe into Christian Missionary Activities in this State and you are to be its Secretary.

Under instructions from and on behalf of the Catholic Regional Conference, I am to kindly inquire from you as to the following details with regard to this Committee :-

(a) its term of reference,
(b) its procedure,
(c) whether lawyers will be permitted and if cross-examination of wit. nesses allowed,
(d) whether Christian organizations in the State would be able to make depositions,
(e) whether the charges levelled against Tribal Christians by the Government of Madhya Pradesh would be inquired into, and 
(f) under what provisions of law it has been constituted and its jurisdiction.

Kindly give me this information at an early date as I am going to Pachmarhi.

Trusting this finds you well.

Copy of D.-O. No. 2-S-CMEC. dated Nagpur, the 30th April 1954, from Shri B. P. Pathak, Secretary, Christian Missionary Activities Enquiry Committee, Madhya Pradesh, to Shri P. Lobo, Advocate, Pachmarhi (M. P.)

With reference to your letter, dated the 23rd April 1954, I am desired by the Committee to inform you that your letter has been forwarded to the Government of Madhya Pradesh in the Political and Military Department for disposal.  It is hoped that the Government will reply to you concerning the various, points raised in your letter under reference.

2. The terms of reference are already contained in the Resolution of Government, which has been referred to in your letter.  Regarding the procedure, the Committee have not yet taken a decision, and I am desired to inform you that when the question of procedure is settled, due intimation to the public will be given.

Copy of D.-O. No. 2/S-CMEC, dated Nagpur, the 30th April 1954, from Shri B. P. Pathak, Secretary, Christian Missionaries Activity Enquiry Committee, Madhya Pradesh, to Shri K. B. L. Seth, I.C.S., Chief Secretary to Government, Madhya Pradesh, Nagpur

I am desired by the Committee to forward herewith in original a letter received by the Committee from Shri P. Lobo, Advocate, Supreme Court, Nagpur, for such action as Government may consider necessary.  A copy of my reply to Shri Lobo is also enclosed for information.  It is requested that a copy of the reply, which Government may send to Shri Lobo, may also be sent to the Committee in due course.

Copy of D.-O. No. 1 874-815-V. dated Nagpur, the 14th May 1954, from Shri B. N. Kunte, Additional Secretary, Political and Military Department, Madhya Pradesh, Nagpur, to Shri P. Lobo, Advocate, Pachmarhi

I am desired to refer to your letter, dated the 23rd April 1954, addressed to Shri Pathak and to give below seriatim the details asked for in paragraph 2 thereof with regard to the Committee appointed by Government to enquire into the activities of Christian Missionaries:-

(a) and (b) The terms of reference are already contained in this department resolution No. 318-716-V-Con, dated the 14th April 1954.  As regards the procedure as Shri Pathak has already informed you, due intimation to the public will be given as soon as the question of procedure is settled by the Committee.

(c) The question whether lawyers will be permitted to appear and cross-examine witnesses is one of procedure, within the discretion of the Committed, and appropriate orders will be passed by it, if the question arises before it with due regard to the circumstances and requirements of the enquiry.

(d) Christian organisations in the State will certainly be allowed to make deposition.

(e) It is not clear to what charges reference has been made in this.  So far as Government are concerned, they have appointed the Committee on the basis of representations received to enquire into and report the facts.

(f) Government have inherent powers to appoint a Committee to make enquiries on any matter to ascertain the factual position with a view to determine the action to be taken.  Persons in the know of facts relevant to the enquiry and willing to place such evidence before it will be free to do so.

Copy forwarded to Shri B. P. Pathak, Secretary, The Christian Missionaries Activity Enquiry Committee.  Madhya Pradesh, Nagpur, for information with reference to his demi-official letter No. 2-S-S-CMEC, dated the 30th April 1954.