Indian Christians protest Pakistani violence

|PIC1|Lending voices of support for their brethren in Pakistan, Christians in India held a protest rally before the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi on Friday, calling for "strong action" against the perpetrators of anti-Christian violence in a memorandum addressed to Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari.

Following the violence against a Christian neighbourhood in Pakistan's Gojra city, the protesters expressed "anguish at the brutal burning alive of nine Christians and destruction of 200 houses in arson". The Christians were reportedly attacked by a mob after a Christian family in the neighbourhood was accused of desecrating the Koran. The protesters also pressed for the repeal of the blasphemy laws.

The protest was organised by the National United Christian Forum, alongside the All India Christian Council, Global Council of Indian Christians and other groups.

"The Christian community in India joins with the peace-loving people across the world and supports the demand by Pakistan Civil Society and the Minority communities, specially the Christians, for strong action to bring the guilty to book and to create an environment of peace," the memorandum, signed by NUCF president Archbishop Vincent M Concessao, said.

The statement called for the repeal of blasphemy laws "that [were] repeatedly being misused and had now caused the death of nine innocent Christians".

Last week, Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani had agreed to review "laws that were detrimental to religious harmony".

A Bangalore-based Christian advocacy group said it was shocked at the violence on the small Christian community in Pakistan and expressed anguish over the "systematic oppression against non-Muslims".

Clamouring for justice, the Global Council of Indian Christians said that the plight of the generally impoverished and marginalised Christian community was being trivialised by the Pakistan administration.

GCIC president Dr Sajan George demanded the repeal of the blasphemy laws, which he said were in "violation of basic fundamental rights and against universal declaration of human rights".

"No incident of blasphemy of Koranic verses occurred in Gojra and no Christian could ever think of doing this even in their wildest dreams. The so-called champions of Islam are wreaking havoc with the religious minorities and are further defaming Pakistan and Islam in the world," he said.

Christians, who make up less than five per cent of Pakistan's 175 million people, have come under frequent attack in recent months.

A month before the Gojra incident, a Christian colony in Kasur, Bahmniwala, was attacked by a mob, prompting 700 Christians to flee. Their houses were reportedly petrol bombed in the sight of police who failed to act.

The Pope and the World Council of Churches have condemned the latest killings in Gojra and called for a ban on blasphemy laws.

"We believe that it is the responsibility of the state to provide security to all its citizens in the country, particularly in a region where communal tensions and chances for violence run a high risk," WCC general secretary the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia wrote to President Zardari.

The Pope expressed "deep sorrow" over the violence and urged Christians to remain calm and continue its efforts in building a community of "peace" and "mutual respect".