ASIA/INDIA - More than 55 anti-Christian attacks in 2011; for the Bishops a legislation to protect minorities is urgently needed"

Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) - A church was attacked and damaged in Karnataka two days ago; a prayer meeting was interrupted and stopped by extremists in Madhya Pradesh; 7 Christians were arrested in Andhra Pradesh and a Protestant Pastor was arrested in Uttar Pradesh, with the false accusation of "forced conversions": these are the latest episodes that sources in the Indian Christian community refer to Fides, noting that incidents of violence perpetrated by radical Hindu groups against Christians continue. According to a Report sent to Fides by the "Global Council of Indian Christians" (GCIC) - an ecumenical body that monitors the condition of the faithful in the country - there have been at least 55 serious cases of violence, of which 35 in Karnataka and 20 in Orissa in 2011 . But the figure does not cover hundreds of incidents involving intimidation, beatings, threats, domestic outbreaks to disrupt meetings, minor damage to buildings and places of worship.
"This not only disturbs peace and harmony in the country, but also harms the country's image abroad", notes the GCIC, pointing out that India is mentioned negatively in the recent Report on International Religious Freedom, of the Department of U.S. State.
For this, the Indian Bishops strongly support the adoption of a legislative measure for the protection of ethnic and religious minorities in India", said in an interview with Fides His Exc. Mgr.Vincent Concessao, Archbishop of New Delhi. Meanwhile, the "Communal Violence Bill", the bill of the government (led by the Congress Party), which aims to prevent and give more powers to the federal state, in case of violence against minorities is at a stand in Parliament (see Fides 7/6/2011).
The Archbishop explains to Fides: "The opposition parties (like the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Hindu nationalist party), but also the Trinamool Congress, a party in the coalition government, oppose the measure: they affirm that, protecting minorities means damaging the majority. But the aim of the law is only to prevent violence by adopting appropriate measures and strongly penalizing those that initiate and carry out conflict. For this we will continue to ask the government to pass the legislation, by putting preassure together with all ethnic and religious minorities. We hope it is approved for the good of India: it will contribute to social harmony and enhance the good name of the country at an international level". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/09/2011)