Saturday, September 4, 2010

COMMENTARY: India's Federal Govt. Must Pass Laws to End Hindu Persecution of Christians

The federal government of India needs to get involved immediately to put an end to the barbaric treatment of Christians living in India -- especially those living in the Indian state of Orissa -- by Hindu extremists.

Hindus continue to prevent Christians from participating in social life, including the use of public fountains and collecting wood in the forest. The Orissa State government has done nothing to protect Christians from this inhuman treatment.

This barbaric treatment of Christians has prevailed in India for at least the past three years. Hindus have been treating more than 4,000 Christians in Orissa as social outcasts, in addition to pressuring them with force to convert to Hinduism.

Between December 2007 and August 2008, Hindu extremists in India killed 93 Christians, sacked and torched more than 6,500 homes, destroyed 350 churches and 45 schools. The Hindu persecutions displaced more than 50,000 people.

Most of the perpetrators of these crimes are free. Moreover, witnesses scheduled to appear at trials have been silenced through threats.

Consequently, it is now time for India's federal government to take charge and to pass laws that will result in severe punishment against Hindus responsible for committing barbaric and discriminatory acts on Christians in India.

No comments:

Post a Comment