Sect members excluded from Australia

Press, 30 December 1978, Page 6

Sect members excluded from Australia

PA Dunedin A Dunedin Teachers’ College student was stopped from travelling to Australia for the second time this year because of his religious beliefs. Mr Chris Byars, who is training to be a primaryschool teacher, is a member of the Ananda Marga se t. He had planned to leave for Australia from Christchurch on Wednesday evening for a holiday, and to spend some time at an Ananda Marga retreat in Sydney. He knew that he could be stopped, and so he changed his name to Trevor Watkins. As Trevor Watkins, he was allowed to enter the departure lounge of Christchurch Airport, but was soon asked to return tc the information counter. He was asked by airline officials if he had proof that he was Trevor Watkins, as they believed him to be

Chris Byars, a member of Ananda Marga. "The whole thing was done by airline officials, : though there were police at: the airport,” Mr Byars said. “I would like to know ' how they knew I was Chris : Byars. They must have me on file,” he said. The Australian authorities have banned the entry of! Ananda Marga members since demonstrations were! held in Canberra by mem-! bers when their leader was imprisoned in India. “There was conflict between the police and group members. Since then, the police have tried to stop us returning. There is talk that the authorities want to ban the movement in Australia,” Mr Byars said. His involvement with; Ananda Marga was minimal at present because he was committed to training to be a primary-school teacher. ”1 just want my freedom: to travel to be granted,” Mr Byars said.