Christians keep silence

On Monday, the Mangrol Mamlatdar called up Fr Albert Delgado and asked him to provide information on Christian marriages. A couple of hours after he refused to do so 8212; because 8220;we are not bound to give such details8221; 8212; a Mandvi mamlatdar-issued circular was handed over to Catechist master Chandubhai Chaudhary. The circular, originally issued on February by the district magistrate, asked the mamlatdars concerned to collect and provide the information within 10 days. The mamlatdar8217;s office, in turn, relayed the circular to talatis.

Surat Collector Sangeeta Singh, who took charge on February 6, however, only said, 8220;No such circular has been issued during my tenure. I am inquiring into it. But I would never issue such a circular8221;.

However, Mandvi8217;s deputy mamlatdar B U Mahida and a sub-divisional magistrate told Express Newsline on condition of anonymity that 8220;the details are being collected at the district magistrate8217;s instance8221;. The Umarpada mamlatdar has already collected information.

A couple of Christian leaders said that they were apprehensive the details were being collected to find out whether any minor was married, so that they could be dragged to court.