World

CSW urges EU to speak out on Orissa violence

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) yesterday sent letters to EU leaders urging the EU to use Monday's EU-India Summit to make representations about the continued targeting of Christians by extremist Hindu nationalists in Orissa.

The letters to the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, Commisioner Ferrero-Waldner and General-Secretary Solana, coincide with reports of fresh arson attacks on churches and houses of Christians, and a mob assault on a police station following the arrest of two Hindus for rioting.

The correspondence also follows a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on Wednesday, which expressed "deep concern" at the violence and called on the state and national authorities "to do all in their power fully to protect the Christian minority".

The letters describe the violence as "extremely serious", and provide an assessment based on first-hand testimony from victims and eyewitnesses and the analysis of local NGO leaders, Christian leaders and Hindu civil society observers.

It notes the ongoing coercive conversions of Christians to Hinduism and calls on the EU to make nine recommendations to the Indian government. These include the deployment of a considerably larger security force, the provision of investigating officers and public prosecutors to expedite prosecutions and convictions as well as the provision of a more comprehensive package of relief to the displaced persons in Orissa.

CSW Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert said: "The 2005 EU-India Strategic Partnership Joint Action Plan included a commitment to upholding human rights and a continuation of dialogue. In light of the extremely serious ongoing situation in Orissa, we request that EU leaders use Monday's Summit to raise this issue and urge the Indian government to take decisive action.

"To protect the Christian community the violence must be brought under control and the victims assisted in filing cases. The perpetrators and those inciting violence must be prosecuted and the root causes of the aggression, including the propagation of anti-Christian hatred, must be addressed.

"Until this happens, we believe that Kandhamal will continue to be locked in violence which seeks the elimination of the Christian community in that district."

Added: Sunday, September 28, 2008, 13:22 (BST)

Dear Rajkumar and Desibhai,
VHP is attacking christian 'Minority' that means they rare still a minority only 2.5% in India , their number is not increasing. but look at muslims their number is increasing as well as all their terror activities. BJP /VHP can NOT say anything against them. BJPis affraid of muslims where as they think of christian as week and easy to wipe out. dear rajkumar you pls find out (from ur grand mother) how the christian have helped in education and health care in kerala state thats why we r 100% literate and our health care system is the best in India. I am proud we christians have done only good to India. can u imagine what would have happened if these many (the no of churches) mosques or hindu temples were destroyed as they have destroyed churches. we still experiance the after effects of the destruction of babri mosque.thats all Ihave to say. may God bless you

beena, doha-qatar

Added: Sunday, September 28, 2008, 11:21 (BST)

Before the mid of 20th century all the countries throughout the world including our country had small and big rulers, kings, dictators etc with kingdoms for every kilometers or hundreds of kilometers; having mass killings, sexual crimes, barbarism throughout the world irrespective of religion, language, caste, race, nation etc. An example is Emperor Ashoka massacring Kalinga which were previously different countries in our present day India. Another example is Chalukya people massacring Pallavas. Like wise millions of Indian people have been subjected to mass killings, sexual crimes, barbarism throughout by Indians even before 18th Century AD irrespective of religion, language, caste, race, nation etc. These types of crimes happened throughout the world in the past. Every ruler will erase the history of his crimes in the past. But after mid of 20th century, we have many countries with democratic governments. We have the Executive, Legislature and Supreme Court with good Press system to ensure democracy and dignity of the individual citizen.

There are best, very good, good, medium, bad, very bad, worst people from every religion, language, caste, race, nation etc like normal distribution. We through out the world including our country did not have education, hospital, social care etc for the past 5000 years. One group of bad Europeans came to capture, rule and colonise during mid of 18th century to mid of 20th century. During the same period and even before, the another good group called christian missionaries came from Europe to tell the love of God Jesus Christ and they pioneered and started the schools, colleges, hospitals, social care institutions etc, which has now been followed by us also and by virtue of which India is a super power now. Because of their hospital system our population increased from 300 millions to 1000 millions now in about 60 years, which alone shows the christian missionaries love and honour for our lives and nation. Our Indians about 40 million (4 crore people) people are enjoying high life style in so called "christian" countries with the help of them, having dual citizenship benefiting them and our country. The Non Resident Indians from our country well settled in the present day countries where majority people are Christians have all rights including religion, language, caste, race, nation identity, Own business, political, social, jobs etc. This is possible because their constitution gives equal rights for all.

Thus we must not demonise any religion, language, caste, race, nation etc which are man made. We all people of the world and our country have common ancestor and we all are relatives irrespective of religion, language, caste, race, nation etc. The scientists have confirmed this fact medically. So we must not do violence/kill our own human relatives for sake of religion, language, caste, race, nation etc. We have a secular constitution and all are equal. The Indian “christians” are also Indians who are sons of soil and original inhabitants of our Great Country India and have equal rights. Another option "no religion" has to be opted in all forms and census in India. In USA, China etc there is no recognition of religion in forms. All Indians are our brothers and sisters.

T.Rajasekar, Hyderabad, India

Added: Sunday, September 28, 2008, 1:32 (BST)

What Christianity have done in Kandhamal is to divide families, tribal traditions, and society. The monotheistic religions functions by shunning their ancestral faiths and customs. Ordinary Hindus have nothing against Christianity except for the fact that the monotheistic religions show little respect for the polytheistic faiths.
History is evidence for that.

I Pray that Christians and muslims understand that there are multiple paths to reach god and respect the people who believe in that.

Rajkumar, Cochin, INdia

Added: Saturday, September 27, 2008, 11:19 (BST)

I think India is facing a threat from two fronts, one the Islamic fundamentalists and on the other the Christian fundamentalists. Both these extremists are intensifying their efforts to destablise the great Hindustan which has been the place where morals, values and civilzation have originated. Have Hindus or Hindustan ever attached anyone NONE..thats culture and soberness of peace loving Hindus.
The christian missionaries are spying agencies who use mean methods to propogate their interests should be BANNED from India and it is not only for VHP every Hindu in the country should work to clean up and keep the peace loving spirit of Hindustan.

desibhai, chambalpur,India

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