JAIPUR: The Kota-based Emmanuel Mission International (EMI) has once again been targeted for its alleged involvement in the sale of a book containing "derogatory" references to Hinduism, its gods and saints. Institutions managed by the EMI and its associates in the divisional town of Kota, including an orphanage, a charity hospital and schools, have been closed after attacks on them in the last week.

The violent protests by the Hindu Jagaran Manch, the Bajrang Dal and the newly formed Matantaran Virodhi Manch (Anti-Conversion Forum) have forced the EMI to postpone its annual all-India convention and convocation ceremony, scheduled from February 23 to 26 in Kota. Last year the Hindu organisations prevented the arrival of delegates for the convocation.

While the EMI management, which has virtually gone underground in Kota and in other towns of Rajasthan, has "disowned" the controversial book, Haqeequat, authored by M.G. Mathew, the Sangh activists, who addressed a press conference here on Monday, called a Hadauti (Kota region) bandh for February 23.

The book has the sub-title, "An analytical study of the book, A Bunch of Thoughts written by M.S. Golwalkar". The State Government has proscribed the book.

The police have arrested Dennis Nathaniel, who translated the book into Hindi, V.S. Thomas, in-charge of the orphanage, and R.S. Nair, EMI administrator.

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