NEW DELHI, June 30 — In an attempt to bridge the gap between the majority community and Christians, the National Commission of Minorities was today successful in scheduling a meeting on July 11 between the leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Bajrang Dal and Christian leaders.

The decision was announced after the NCM Chairman, Mr Justice Mohammed Shamim, and its members held a meeting today with the VHP Vice-President, Acharya Giriraj Kishore, and the Bajrang Dal’s convener Surendra Jain.

The VHP leader demanded that an inquiry should be held by a competent authority into the recent attacks on Christians and those found guilty should be punished.

The NCM Chairman told mediapersons that the idea behind the proposed meeting was to initiate confidence-building measures aimed at removing misgivings between Christians and the majority community, especially the VHP and Bajrang Dal.

Today’s meeting follows the ones the NCM had held with the Catholic Bishops Conference of India President, Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios, Rev Vinod Peter of Church of North India and Mr Ipe Joseph of the National Council of Churches of India, both of whom represented the protestants. The VHP and the Bajrang Dal have been under fire from various sections over the attacks on Christians.

Acharya Kishore told the NCM that the VHP did not have any hand in any incident and was willing to join hands with Christians to create a cordial atmosphere.

The NCM Vice-Chairman, Mr Tarlochan Singh, who had mooted the idea while on a visit to Kerala last month said the commission was concerned over the incidents as these affected the country’s secular image.

Mr Tarlochan Singh said these leaders also agreed to have a similar meeting between the two communities at states level.

Apart from Mr Justice Shamim and Mr Tarlochan Singh, the commission members, Lt-Gen A.M. Sethna, Mr John Joseph, Mr T.K. Lochen Tulku, Mr Vijay Kumar Dar and NCM Secretary, Mr Vijay Dar, were also present at the meeting.

PTI adds: Mr Surendra Jain told PTI that they brought to the notice of the commission the issue of “fradulent conversions” being carried out by Christian missionaries across the country. “We are being accused of all crimes — from rape to murder. We want a CBI probe to find the motive behind this campaign, which has tarnished the country’s image,” he said.

The proposed meeting with Christian leaders, at the initiative of the NCM, would be a “milestone” in inter-community relations, Mr Jain said.

While the proposed meeting was tentatively fixed for July 11, it could take place on July 12 in the event of any cancellation, the NCM Chairman said.

Acharya Kishore and Mr Jain had on June 27 met the commission and suggested tripartite meeting to “ponder over all contentious issues,” including the Babri masjid demolition and attacks on Christians.