``What happened with the Christians in the two states is unfortunate and condemnable...But over 100 churches were pulled down in Arunachal Pradesh and there was no propaganda blitz like the one we are witnessing today,'' he told reporters.

Holding Christian leaders responsible for `concerted international propaganda' against India in the aftermath of the recent incidents of attacks on Christians, Fernandes felt there was nothing wrong with religious conversions provided they were voluntary and without inducements.

Later, addressing the valedictory function of the state-level conference of the women's wing of the Samata Party, Fernandes charged Congress president Sonia Gandhi with patronising Orissa Chief Minister J B Patnaik in the wake of ``suchignominious and baseless charge of sending goons to rape a woman''.

``Her approach to violation of Anjana Mishra is indicative of her political compulsions'' he said urging all parties to sink their differences on the Women's reservation Bill to ensure greater empowerment of women.

Obliquely referring to the Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Laloo Prasad Yadav, he said ``those who tried to stall the women's reservation bill did not only lower the prestige of parliament but showed men in a very poor light''.