UK Christians to march for end to sectarian violence in India

Growing violence against Christians in India has now spread to 12 states, according to the All India Christian Council, while 57 have been killed and 50,000 driven from their homes in Orissa state alone amid attacks by Hindu extremists.

A march has been called in London on Saturday to present a petition to Gordon Brown and to the Indian High Commission, calling on the Indian Government to intervene to stop the escalating violence.

India's national government is threatening to impose emergency rule on two states unless they stop anti-Christian violence which has raged for six weeks.

The federal government issued an official warning to Orissa and Karnataka, accusing the Hindu nationalist BJP which rules both states of failing to curb the violence. Unless the two state governments take decisive action, 'President's rule' will be introduced, in accordance with Article 356 of the constitution.

Attacks by Hindu extremists' have now spread to 12 states, according to the All India Christian Council.

On just one day, September 20, a Christian man was hacked to death by militants as he tried to reach a relief camp in the town of Phulbani in Orissa's Kandhamal district. And in Karnataka, militants ransacked four churches, three in the city of Bangalore and one in Kodagu district. Seven Christians were accused of 'forced conversion' in Thalikare.

Looting, arson, forced conversions to Hinduism and even murders continue to be reported.

The situation is now "getting out of hand", according to the All India Christian Council.

On September 20, Christians were joined by politicians from several different parties at a protest rally in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, condemning the violence.

Hindu extremists launched their anti-Christian campaign after one of their spiritual leaders Laxmanananda Saraswati was murdered in August. Hindus have blamed Christians for his death, even after Maoists admitted responsibility.

Release is requesting that Christians continue to pray for the return of law and order across India and that governments of affected states will take firm action to protect Christians. They also ask for Christians to pray that the violence will help highlight the plight of India's persecuted Christians and make it more difficult for militants to attack with impunity.

About the march:
Marchers will gather in Richmond Terrace off Victoria Embankment at 2pm, for the rally staged by India Christian Concern. For more details, contact coordinator William Sidhu on 07958 281230.