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The systematic, organised and targetted anti-christian violence and atrocities committed by Hindutva-saffron brigade-organisations in several parts of the country notably in in Gujarat, as also in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and Rajasthan which have few precedents in independent and democratic India - was unanimously condemned by a "convention against communal attacks on minorities" at Chennai.

Harmony India, an association for communal amity and secularism organised this convention at "Valluvar Kottam" on 10.1.99, to expose and protest against these attacks on religious minorities.

N. Ram president, Harmony India, in his welcome address noted that communalism, acting under the banner of Hindutva, had long targetted the masses of Indian muslims as its enemy. He quoted as evidence the vile and barbaric act of demolishing a place of worship, the Babri Masjid, and the horrifying violence against innocent people that followed. He concluded saying that the shameless efforts of these forces in opening at second major front-against Indian Christians which was evident from the recent attacks in Gujarat should be roundly condemned by all democratic and secular minded section from of this country.

Durai Murugan, the PWD minister of Tamil Nadu quoted elaborately from the works of Mother Teresa and Swami Vivekananda, and stressed the need for universal tolerance which has been the essence of true Hinduism. G K Moopnar, president Tamil Manila Congress strongly condemned the incident of vandalising the cricket pitch in Delhi by Shiv Sena activists and the attacks on Christians in Gujarat and other places.

N Sankaraiah, the CPI(M) state secretary, explained the efforts of the CPI(M) in association with all secular and democratic minded parties to forge communal unity and uphold secularism from the platform of Harmony India, he assured the minorities that CPI(M) would be in the fore front of protecting the minorities and other depressed sections of the society. Earlier a resolution condemning the Gujarat incidents and seeking protection to minorities was moved by N M Sundaram, general secretary All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA). The entire house gave a standing approval and the resolution was passed unanimously.

The convention attended by thousands of people was also addressed by Prince of the Arcot and founder secretary-general of Harmony India Mohammed Abdul Ali, Rev. Bishop Dr. M. Azariah, Dr. Habeeb Mohammed, Kailashmull Dugar(Forum of Minority Institutions), senior advocate Habibullah Badsha, Harbajam Singh (Punjab Association), Arch Bishop Rev. Aruldas James, chairman state minorities commission, Rev. Bishop Ezra Sargunam, chief Khazi government of Tamil Nadu Mufti Khazi Salahuddin, Md. Ayub, advocate Vaigai(secretary legal wing AIDWA) and Swami Viswanatha Shivacharia. 

The other political leaders spoke on the occasion included R. Nallakannu secretary CPI, G.A. Vadivelu president, Tamil Nadu Janata Dal and M. Krishnaswamy, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee(I)

The speakers concurred with the general observation that this convention was only a beginning of the broad-based effort for mobilising democratic and secular minded masses of this country to combat the attacks on the minorities by Hindutva forces. The convention concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Arumuga Nainar of Harmony India.