New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - The Global Council of Indian Christians has called on the central government to take special legislative measures to eliminate from politics and social customs in India all trace of nationalist and fundamentalist ideology. The Council called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene in Indian states governed by the Baratiya Janata Party (BJP) where extremist groups prosper and spread the intolerant Hindutva ideology and attack religious minorities.
The Council says these movements are widespread and they poison the atmosphere in political and social debate in India. In a open letter to the Prime Minister the Council recalls episodes of intolerance such as the attack on Missionaries of Charity in Kerala on 25 September. “The identification of 13 members of the Rashtriya Swayasevak Sang RSS and the BJP shows clearly that this was a crime of religious hatred”.
Sajan K. George, leader of the Council said that unless opportune and sever measures are taken this activity will continue to undermine social harmony.
The Council recalled other recent acts of intolerance against Christians, such as forced re-conversion to Hinduism of Christian converts in Orissa; the murder of Father Job Chittillapally in Kerala; an attack on people in prayer in Manglore, in Karnataka, and many attacks on Christian churches and schools. “Fundamentalist groups appear to be growing and their aim is to spread fear and terror”.
The letter concludes: “The culture of intolerance and hatred promoted also by politicians will not help social harmony or development. It would be a sad day for the country if a group of extremists were allowed to erode democratic freedom in our country”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/10/2004 righe: 35 parole: 356)